References: Khan Al Ahmar
Broken down by subject, this is the latest news across the globe on the ongoing Khan Al Ahmar crisis.
British Parliament
Dozens of British MPs urge ‘economic pressure’ on Israel over demolitions policy
April 26, 2018. Middle East Monitor.
The article notes that as of April 25, 2018, forty seven British parliamentarians have signed an early day motion condemning the Israeli government demolition plans for Khan al-Ahmar and urging the UK government to exert economic pressure on Israel to halt demolition plans in Khan al-Ahmar.
Early day motions (EDMs) are motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons for which no day has been fixed. As there is no specific time allocated to EDMs very few are debated. However, many attract a great deal of public interest and media coverage. EDMs are used to put on record the views of individual MPs or to draw attention to specific events or campaigns. Topics covered by EDMs vary widely. By attracting the signatures of other MPs, they can be used to demonstrate the level of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view. In an average session only six or seven EDMs reach over two hundred signatures. Around seventy or eighty get over one hundred signatures. The majority will attract only one or two signatures. There is no rule whereby the number of signatures affects the likelihood of an EDM being debated.
Demolition Plans in Khan Al-Ahmar Village in The West Bank
Early day motion 1169. UK Parliament. April 17, 2018.
Wes Streeting MP: The international community must support Palestinians whose homes face demolition
House of Commons. April 25, 2018. PoliticsHome.
This articles express MP Streeting’s concern regarding the planned demoltion of a kindergarten in the Bedouin community of Jabal al Baba and the Rubber Tyre School in Khan al-Ahmar. Streeting touches upon the failure of the Olso Accords and Britiain’s responsibility to uphold education for all children, especially after signing the Safe Schools Declaration last week.
Human Rights Concerns
Israel: Demolitions by the Army of Schools in the West Bank
Human Rights Watch press release. April 25, 2018. Association French Palestine Solidarity.
This article is press release from Human Rights Watch denouncing the Israeli government’s demolition plans. The press release goes on to note that the majority of the schools at risk for demolition have been funded by the EU.
HRW: Israeli Army Demolishing of West Bank Schools Could Amount to War Crimes
April 26, 2018. The Palestinian Chronicle.
The article outlines the repercussions faced by Palestinian children when the Israeli government demolishes their schools. Moveover, Human Rights Watch characterizes the demolition plan of the Israeli government as an international crime.
Compassionate Settlers
Breaking Political Taboo, Jewish Settlers Side With Bedouin in Their Fight Against Demolition
Yotam Berger. April 26, 2018. Haaretz.
The article details why the Israeli settlers have chosen to side with the Bedouin regarding the proposed demolition of Khan al-Ahmar.
The Bedouin village where compassion ends
Orly Noy. October 6, 2017. 972 Mag
The article provides of brief history of the struggles of Khan al-Ahmar as well as an interview with Rabbi Yehiel Grenimann From Israeli NGO Rabbis for Humanity. Grenimann expresses concern regarding the behavior of settlers in the region, noting they “are far worse [than hilltop youth]” and implying they lack compassion to their Bedouin neighbors.”