Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2018
147. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps being taken at EU and international level to protect the Palestinian Bedouin community, in particular, to prevent the forcible transfer of this community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30752/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Palestinian Bedouin communities settled around Jerusalem have been at risk of forcible transfer for a number of years, particularly as illegal Israeli settlements in the area continue to expand. The area is inhabited by members of the Jahalin tribe, which was expelled from its home in the Negev to the West Bank in the 1950s. One village in particular, that of Khan Al Ahmar, home to some 181 Palestinian Bedouin, 95% of whom are Palestinian refugees, has been under threat of demolition for many years.
The communities are located in a particularly sensitive part of Area C in the West Bank, an area which is critical for the viability of a future Palestinian state. Any attempt to develop the land for illegal settlements is therefore a threat to the Two State solution. There is no doubt that the removal of the Bedouin community to another site, to which they have not agreed, is illegal under international law.
These plans have been subject to a number of legal proceedings. Many in the international community, including Ireland, have raised our concerns on numerous occasions with the Israeli authorities. As a result of international pressure and legal actions plans for the demolition had been delayed. However, following an Israeli Supreme Court ruling in May 2018, the Israeli authorities were given permission by that court to proceed with the demolition.
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process has said that the proposed demolition in Khan Al Ahmar is contrary to international law and has called on Israel to halt the demolitions.
I have made two public statements in relation to Khan al Ahmar specifically, on 31 May and most recently on 4 July, calling on the Israeli authorities to halt the demolitions of Palestinian property and the removal of Palestinian communities. I also condemned the demolitions and the forced evictions of the neighbouring Palestinian community of Abu Nuwar. The Irish Representative in Ramallah has visited Khan al Ahmar on a number of occasions, along with other European Missions, as a show of support for the villagers. Ireland has also pressed strongly for EU action on this, and the EU has issued statements in Brussels and at local level calling on the Israeli authorities to reverse the decisions.
Following Palestinian petitions last Thursday, the Israeli High Court has issued a temporary restraining order freezing the demolition of Khan Al Ahmar. The Court has ordered the Israeli authorities to respond to the Palestinian claims by 11 July before making a decision whether to accept or reject the petition.
I again call upon the Israeli authorities to halt the demolitions of Palestinian property and the removal of Palestinian communities. I will continue to raise this issue in my interactions with the Israeli authorities.
