EU's High Representative says demolition of Khan al-Ahmar would be very serious

The European Union’s High Representative and Vice-President Federica Mogherini warned on Friday that Israel’s demolition of Khan al-Ahmar Palestinian village, located east of Jerusalem, would be very serious and undermine prospects of peace.

“The European Union and its Member States have repeatedly stated their long-standing position on Israel’s settlement policy, illegal under international law, and actions taken in that context, including the demolitions of Palestinian communities and possible forced transfers of population,” said Mogherini in a statement.

“The community of Khan al-Ahmar is located in a sensitive location in Area C, of strategic importance for preserving the contiguity of a future Palestinian state,” she said.

“As repeatedly stressed, the consequences of a demolition of this community and the displacement of its residents, including children, against their will, would be very serious and would severely threaten the viability of the two-state solution and undermine prospects for peace,” warned the EU’s foreign policy chief, calling on the Israeli authorities “to reconsider their decision to demolish Khan al-Ahmar.”

The demolition is expected to take place any time after the Israeli High Court rejected petitions by the residents of Khan al-Ahmar against the demolition and allowed the Israeli army to proceed with the plans for the demolition within a week.