Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and a number of cabinet ministers visited the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar Thursday in solidarity. Khan al-Ahmar, in the Occupied West Bank, has been slated to be demolished by Israeli authorities in near future for being built “illegally” i.e., built without Israel’s permission.
Hamdallah thanked the residents for their “steadfast and nonviolent opposition to the Israeli occupation.”
— filiz Gülbay (@gulbay_filiz) October 19, 2018
According to Channel 10 news, Hamdallah told the residents:
“This occupation will end, without a doubt”.
Israeli forces handed out notices late September ordering the residents of Khan al-Ahmar to leave their homes by Oct. 1, or be forcibly removed.
Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah at Khan Al-Ahmar this morning…
Photo via @AngelaJerusalem
(Continuous presence needed) pic.twitter.com/NVgOhecNe0— Marian Houk (@Marianhouk) October 18, 2018
Khan al-Ahmar, a Bedouin village in the Occupied West Bank with a mere population of 180 people, is situated a few kilometers from Jerusalem between two major illegal Israeli settlements, namely, Maale Adumim and Kfar Adumim.
The move by Israeli authorities has been criticized internationally. Thousands of Palestinians reached Khan al-Ahmar on Oct. 1 to save the Bedouin village but the Israeli authorities postponed the demolition.
'Each person in Khan al-Ahmar — from the oldest elder to the smallest child — they all need recognition, respect, and to be seen in their full humanity' https://t.co/RqIR9e5eLM
— +972 Magazine (@972mag) October 18, 2018
Since then, international solidarity started pouring in for Khan al-Ahmar from various actors.
Israeli forces have entered Khan al-Ahmar Tuesday with heavy equipment and at least three bulldozers. The bulldozers entered the outskirts of the village early Tuesday, northeast of occupied Jerusalem for the second consecutive day, leveling ground in preparation for its demolition.
Tune in now: B'Tselem's director, @HagaiElAd speaks at the UN Security Council about the Israeli-imposed blockade on the #Gaza Strip & the humanitarian crisis, & Israel’s attempts to carry out the forcible transfer of thousands of Palestinians #KhanalAhmarhttps://t.co/qdL5hQ1JWx
— B'Tselem בצלם بتسيلم (@btselem) October 18, 2018
The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda issued a statement Wednesday reminding Israel that the demolition would constitute a war crime.
The statement said:
“It bears recalling, as a general matter, that extensive destruction of property without military necessity and population transfers in an occupied territory constitute war crimes under the Rome Statute”.
Watch | IOF vehemently attack the weekly protest in the village of Khan al-Ahmar, east of Jerusalem, against Israel's plan to demolish the village, today. pic.twitter.com/PgFdBZO8Qs
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) October 19, 2018
The prime minister visited the school and talked with students praising them for their perseverance. He also said that the government is facing many financial pressures but it will remain strong and not bow down.
(TeleSur, PC, Social Media)
