NGO calls on govt to help stop demolition of Palestinian village
GEORGE TOWN: Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has urged the government to urgently take steps to stop the illegal demolition of Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar in the occupied West Bank.
SAM president S.M. Mohamed Idris said the government should denounce the destruction of the village and Israel’s policy of planned and systematic displacement of people.
“Malaysia should call for the suspension of cooperation agreements between other governments and Israel.
“This includes diplomatic visits and other forms of special economic or diplomatic relations until Israel stops its policy of illegal population transfer and violation of international law.
“The government should work with its allies to demand for an urgent and independent investigation into Khan al-Ahmar issue and Israel’s illegal displacement policy, including the use of environmental harm as an instrument of displacement,
“SAM strongly condemns the planned demolition of Khan al-Ahmar as Israel’s settlement policy is illegal under international law, as reconfirmed by the Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016), and actions taken in that context, including the destruction of Palestinian communities and possible forced transfers of population,” he said yesterday.
SAM, as a member of Friends of the Earth International (FOEI), alerted Wisma Putra on the matter and looked forward to the government’s support for the cause and for it to seek measures to end Israel’s aggression and violation of international law.
Idris added that SAM had been alerted by its Palestinian member of FOEI, Palestinian Environmental NGOs Network, to the grave situation in the village where Israeli settlers in nearby settlements redirected their wastewater last week and flooded the Palestinian village area with sewage.
“We are informed that the Israeli High Court had, on Sept 5, rejected the petitions by the residents of the Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar and allowed the Israeli authorities to proceed with the demolition plan.
“Any day now, the Israeli authorities could start demolishing this village, including its school, and evict the residents from their homes, including many children.”