Trócaire CEO Caoimhe De Barra Trócaire has condemned the demolition by Israeli authorities of Palestinian homes in the West Bank, describing such demolitions as illegal and driven by a desire to disconnect communities.
Responding to reports from the Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem that authorities planned to demolish 13 buildings – including at least 14 apartments – last week, the Irish bishops’ aid and relief agency called on the Irish Government to take a stand on the matter.
“Demolitions in the village of Sur Baher serve only to undermine the human rights of Palestinians and jeopardise hopes for long-term peace and a two-state solution,” said Trócaire CEO Caoimhe de Barra.
The buildings scheduled for demolition are along the perimeter of the West Bank Wall in Sur Baher, along both sides of which the Israeli military has designated a buffer zone.
Commenting on how Israeli media had detailed how Palestinians have invested their savings in building homes for their families only to see them destroyed, Ms de Barra said: “Decisions taken in relation to planning in this community are clearly motivated by the Israeli Government’s unjust desire to disconnect Palestinian communities in the occupied Palestinian territory”
She described the demolitions as “yet another example of the need for Ireland and the EU to take a stand against Israeli authorities’ flagrant disregard of international law”, and called on the Government to support the Occupied Territories Bill, which is expected to return to the Dáil in the autumn.
The bill attempts to ban the sale in Ireland of imported Israeli goods from the occupied territories.