The Palestinian Authority has urged the world not to turn a blind eye to the Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates (MOFA) stated that this is a crime against humanity, but the world is disregarding it. These practices hinder any opportunity to attain peace on the basis of the two-state solution, the ministry added.
As many as 689 structures have been demolished across the West Bank and East Jerusalem so far this year, leaving 869 Palestinians homeless.
MOFA held the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for these crimes as well as their repercussions.
The absence of accountability, and abstaining from imposing sanctions on the occupation state encouraged it to proceed with the houses and institutions' demolition and confiscation, according to MOFA.
The statement comes days after the UN published a report revealing that since the beginning of the year, Israel demolished more than 506 buildings in the West Bank under the pretext of being illegal.
Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B’Tselem) stated that Israel is exerting tireless efforts to hinder the Palestinians’ constructions on one hand.
On the other hand, it is pushing forward construction in Jewish neighborhoods and settlement blocks representing the “Greater Jerusalem.”
The Office of the European Union (EU) Representative on Friday urged Israel to cancel eviction orders for Palestinian families in East Jerusalem.
According to the statement, "Israeli domestic laws, creating the basis for the claims to evict the families, do not exempt Israel, as the occupying power, from meeting its obligations to administer the occupied territory in a manner that provides for and protects the local population.”
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said that Israel’s policy in demolishing homes in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem demands a unified national position.
