European diplomats inspected schools under threat of demolition in Mesafir Yatta
Diplomats from 15 European countries observed Palestinian schools and living conditions in the region, which are under threat of Israeli destruction.
Quick Look
- Diplomats from 15 European countries visited schools in Israel's Mesafir Yatta region, which is under threat of demolition.
- Palestinian officials stated that 15 schools in the region are at risk of demolition and called for protection from the EU.
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Why It Matters
Mesafir Yatta was declared a military zone by Israel in the 1980s. According to UN data, more than 1,100 Palestinians live in the region.
Bessam Cebr, education director of Yatta, Mesafir Yatta and Badiye regions, said that consuls and diplomats from 15 European countries came to Mesafir Yatta to examine the situation of schools, students and teachers in the region.
Diplomats visited Ummul Hayr and Rifaiyye regions and examined the living conditions of Palestinians and schools under threat of demolition.
While the delegation visited the Rifaiyye School, which is under threat of demolition by the Israeli authorities, they also met in front of the Necade School near Ummul Hayr.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Education, Israeli authorities issued a demolition notice in July for the Rifaiyya School, where approximately 200 students from kindergarten to 7th grade are educated.
Cebr stated that a total of 15 schools in Mesafir Yatta are under threat of demolition and that some of them have been sent demolition notices by Israeli authorities.
Stating that European diplomats examined the difficulties experienced by students in reaching their schools, the problems faced by teachers and the threats to schools, Cebr called on the European Union (EU) to protect students and teachers and prevent the demolition of schools.
During the delegation's visit, Cebr called on the EU to support the education process in Mesafir Yatta and asked to ensure that students can reach their schools regularly.
No information was given regarding which countries the diplomats visiting the schools were from.
Threat of demolition in Mesafir Yatta
Mesafir Yatta, located in the south of Hebron city, consists of 12 Palestinian settlements and more than 1100 people live in the area, according to United Nations (UN) data.
Israel declared an area of approximately 30 thousand acres in Mesafir Yatta as a military zone in the 1980s.
The Israeli Supreme Court also ruled in May 2022 that there was no legal obstacle to removing Palestinians from the region and using the area for military training.
In its statement in August, the UN reported that 84 schools in "Area C" of the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem were facing demolition orders, including the schools in Mesafir Yatta.
Israeli authorities demolished three sections of a school in the village of Shaab al-Butum in Mesafir Yatta on August 4.
Within the scope of the Second Oslo Accords signed between the Palestinian administration and Israel in 1995, the West Bank was divided into zones A, B and C.
The administrative and security control of "Area A", which constitutes approximately 18 percent of the West Bank, was left to the Palestinian administration, and the administrative control of "Area B", which constitutes approximately 22 percent, was left to the Palestinian administration, and its security was left to Israel. Administrative and security control of "Area C", which constitutes more than 60 percent, was transferred to Israel.
Open Questions
- It was not announced which of the 15 countries participating in the visit.
- The implementation schedule for demolition decisions is uncertain.
