Ireland condemns Israel’s destruction of Palestinian school in occupied West Bank
Ireland’s representative office in the occupied Palestinian territory has blasted the demolition of an internationally-funded school in the occupied West Bank’s Hebron Hills. In a post on social media, the office said Ireland “along with like-minded missions condemns the demolition of the donor-funded school in Khallet Amera in Hebron” on Monday.
“As the occupying power, Israel must uphold the right to education for Palestinian children,” Ireland said. The European Union’s delegation to the Palestinian territory also condemned the demolishing of the school that “provided education to many children from vulnerable backgrounds”.
“We call on the government of Israel to uphold the basic human right to education for Palestinian children,” the EU delegation said.
All children have a right to education. 🇮🇪 along with like-minded missions condemns the demolition of the donor-funded school in Khallet Amera in Hebron on 8 July. As the occupying power, Israel must uphold the right to education for Palestinian children. pic.twitter.com/PK8XUZOFLN
— Ireland in Palestine (@IrlRepRamallah) July 10, 2024
‘Targeted effort against refugee camps’ in West Bank: Mustafa
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa tells a gathering that what has been happening in the refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarem, Nablus and elsewhere across the occupied West Bank is unacceptable.
“Our refugee camps have been subject to huge destruction. We take this seriously not only because it affects how people live and how their lives are going, but because we feel there is a targeted effort against refugee camps,” he said. Coupled with Israeli moves against UNRWA, he said this paints a picture of a larger campaign to undermine refugee camps.
Mustafa also called expanding Israeli settlements illegal and unacceptable. Israeli settlements, which are the biggest obstacle in the way of a Palestinian state, are considered illegal under international laws.
“For us, the settlements are the antithesis of Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution,” he said during a speech at the Palestinian Foreign Ministry.
Mustafa said the situation in Gaza is “very alarming and sad” and that even though the PA “appreciates all ceasefire efforts”, there is a need for swift action to help Palestinians in the enclave.
PM: What is happening in WB, esp. against refugee camps, coupled with efforts against UNRWA, is a targeted effort to destruct everything, & suggest a broader campaign to undermine UNRWA & the whole issue of the right to return for Palestinians, which we cherish & value very much. pic.twitter.com/4DH8iiiYIo
— PM of Palestine (@PalestinePMO) July 11, 2024
Visualising how Israel keeps stealing Palestinian land
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/11/how-israel-keeps-stealing-palestinian-land
In 2024, Israel illegally seized 23.7sq km (9.15sq miles) of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, amid its ongoing war on Gaza. That’s more than the land it took over the past 20 years combined.
On July 2, Israeli authorities announced the largest single seizure in more than 30 years – 12.7sq km (4.9sq miles) in the Jordan Valley. It was the latest in a series of land grabs announced this year by Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who oversees settlement planning.
Israel has seized more than 50sq km (19.3sq miles) of Palestinian land since 1998, according to Peace Now, an Israeli anti-settlement watchdog.
