Palestinian Government Rallies Diplomats in Village Facing Israeli Demolition Order

Palestinian ministers convened with diplomats and international representatives in the West Bank village of Jan al Ahmar to draw attention to an Israeli demolition order threatening the Bedouin community. The gathering aimed to galvanize international support and press for concrete actions beyond mere condemnation.

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It is time to act, the time for condemnations is over. They have already done an excellent job of that over the past decades. What is needed today is for them to act, to adopt measures that deter this occupying power (Israel) from continuing to commit the injustices it has been committing for seven decades.

"It is time to act, the time for condemnations is over. They have already done an excellent job of that over the past decades. What is needed today is for them to act, to adopt measures that deter this occupying power (Israel) from continuing to commit the injustices it has been committing for seven decades," urged Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian. She was joined by several other ministers and officials, highlighting the Palestinian government's unified stance on the issue.

The demolition order for Jan al Ahmar, one of 32 Bedouin communities east of Jerusalem targeted for dismantling, was reportedly issued by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. This move is seen as part of the controversial E1 plan, a large-scale settlement project intended to expand Israeli settlements near East Jerusalem and connect them via a new road. International legal opinions, including a 2024 International Criminal Court advisory opinion, have deemed Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal under international law.

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The occupation understands no language other than measures. Measures that affect it directly.

During the visit, Aghabekian specifically called on Spain, a nation she acknowledged as a "pioneer in imposing sanctions," to implement effective "on-the-ground measures." She advocated for sanctions against settlements and settlers, freezing funding, and taking action against products originating from settlements, emphasizing the need to halt Israel's "annexationist and colonial policy."

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The most effective action now would be to sanction the settlements and the settlers; it is important to try not to contribute to the expansion of this enterprise. Funding must be frozen. Settlers must be sanctioned. Measures must be taken against settlement products.