EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner responsible for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva deplored the confiscation of humanitarian assistance carried out by Israeli security forces last week in Khirbet al-Makhul.
As they said in a joint statement: "The EU deplores the confiscation of humanitarian assistance carried out by Israeli security forces in Khirbet al-Makhul. EU representatives have already contacted the Israeli authorities to demand an explanation and expressed their concern at the incident. The EU underlines the importance of unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance and the applicability of international humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territory."
On Friday, Israeli security forces abused foreign diplomats and confiscated an aid truck that was about to distribute tents to homeless Palestinians in the West Bank. In particular, the French humanitarian aid organization Acted accompanied by diplomats from France, the UK, Ireland, Spain Sweden, Greece, Australia, Brazil, the EU and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, were stopped by Israel soldiers near the Makhoul village of Khirbet, which is home to about 100 Bedouin Palestinians.
According to Reuters Marion Castaing, the French diplomat, stated: “They dragged me out of the truck and forced me to the ground with no regard for my diplomatic immunity.”
On the other hand, Israeli forces said that Palestinian and foreign activists were prevented from erecting tents that were illegal on the ground of violating a supreme court decision. In addition, they accused the activists of throwing stones and hitting law enforcement officers.
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