Israeli court postpones the demolition of a West Bank community
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Salma Hossein
- . February 8, 2023
- . Update: February 8, 2023 9:52 pm
Tuesday saw the controversial demolition of a Bedouin hamlet in the occupied West Bank receives new approval from Israel’s Supreme Court.
After it was determined that Khan Al-Ahmar was constructed without Israeli licences, it was scheduled for demolition in 2018. It is located on a vital highway east of Jerusalem.
Regavim, a right-wing Israeli organisation, has sued the government in an effort to have the 200-person community, which has gained support from around the world, destroyed.
The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which assumed office in December, had asked for additional time to make a decision over the destiny of Khan Al-Ahmar, telling the court that it needed an extension before proposing a plan to demolish the village.
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Although the Supreme Court expressed sadness that the government was “happy with the current scenario… postponing its response every few months,” it allowed a stay until May 1 in its judgement on Tuesday. Eight decisions on Khan Al-Ahmar have been postponed by previous governments.
According to those opposed to the demolition, razing Khan Al-Ahmar would allow Israeli settlements to grow there and essentially create a wall separating the remainder of the West Bank from annexated east Jerusalem.
International pressure has been mounting on Israel to halt the demolition, with European diplomats most recently visiting the neighbourhood on January 30.
Area C of the West Bank, which is entirely under Israeli rule and where it is very difficult for Palestinians to secure building permits, is where Khan Al-Ahmar is situated. Israel has held the West Bank under occupation since the 1967 Six-Day War.
