UAWC condemns the Israeli decision to close and demolish school in Khan Al- Ahmar

The Union of Agricultural Work Committee (UAWC) condemns the Israeli crimes against our people in Khan Al-Ahmar, Bedouin community in East Jerusalem, who have been continually attacked by the Israeli army and settlers in an attempt to squeeze them out of existence. Specifically, we condemn the latest Israeli decision to demolish the children’s school, which accommodates 190 students from five Bedouin communities in the region. The demolition decision further exacerbates the hardships and suffering of the community.

Vast efforts were put into the construction of the school, by the hands of local villagers and volunteers in 2009. With no regards of the consequences, the Israeli authorities issued a demolition order against this school, under the pretext that it was built without a license. This decision came just two weeks ahead of the beginning of the school year, which in essence threatens the future of the students’ academic year, and violates the basic Palestinian human rights of life, dignity and education.

According to The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), since the beginning of 2016; the rate of the Israeli government’s demolition orders in East Jerusalem have risen by 40% in comparison with those issued in 2015.

At present, 114 buildings in East Jerusalem have been demolished in 2016. We, organizations and activists, call for the immediate international intervention to stop the brutal Israeli occupation’s demolition order issued against the Khan Al-Ahmar School. We call on all Human Rights Organizations, Social Justice Movements, activists to raise their voice to end the Israeli violations against our people.