The European Union warned Israel over the weekend that the planned demolition of an illegal Bedouin village in the West Bank will have "serious consequences" and will pose a significant threat to the two-state solution.
Israel's High Court of Justice on Wednesday cleared the way for the planned demolition of Khan al-Ahmar, an illegal Bedouin encampment located 10 kilometers (6 miles) east of Jerusalem between the Israeli communities of Maaleh Adumim and Kfar Adumim, which is home to some 180 Bedouin.
European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini issued a statement saying, "The European Union and its member states have repeatedly stated their long-standing position on Israel's settlement policy, illegal under international law, and actions taken in that context, including the demolitions of Palestinian communities and possible forced transfers of population," Mogherini said.
"The community of Khan al-Ahmar is located in a sensitive location in Area C, of strategic importance for preserving the continuity of a future Palestinian state.
"The consequences of a demolition of this community and the displacement of its residents, including children, against their will, would be very serious and would severely threaten the viability of the two-state solution and undermine prospects for peace.
"The EU expects Israeli authorities to reconsider their decision to demolish Khan al-Ahmar," the statement read.
On Saturday, Israeli human rights group B'Tselem said it has asked the EU to intervene and prevent the Bedouin village's demolition.
B'Tselem Director Hagai El-Ad wrote to Mogherini, saying, "We have reached the point where it appears that these serious consequences must be spelled out if the EU is to credibly back its own positions."
Brussels, he noted, "obviously has ample leverage to have a concrete impact by showing Israel that unacceptable human rights violations will have serious consequences and spelling out exactly what it [Israel] stands to lose."
