German Chancellor Angela Merkel threatened to cancel her visit to Israel if the planned demolition of the Palestinian village in occupied West Bank took place before her trip.
Israel’s Army Radio is reported to have been instructed by Merkel’s office that if the Bedouin village of Khan Al-Ahmar was evacuated before her trip, she would cancel her visit which is expected to begin tonight.
BREAKING Report: Angela Merkel will cancel Israel visit if Khan al-Ahmar evacuated https://t.co/WUthXjJOmO pic.twitter.com/pHtYLPpolA
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) October 3, 2018
The residents of Khan Al-Ahmar were given an October 1 deadline after which Israeli bulldozers were expected to demolish their homes. The delay took many by surprise but news of the threat from Merkel’s office has shed new light into the reason for Israel’s decision to delay its demolition of Palestinian homes in order to make way for the construction of Jewish only settlements.
Palestinians brace for Israeli bulldozers in the West Bank: 'If we lose Khan al-Ahmar we lose Jerusalem' https://t.co/QGPIpT3azG #MeNext? @AlistairBurtUK, @Jeremy_Hunt, @nmladenov, @IntlCrimCourt, @UNHumanRights @DFID_UK, @EUinIsrael @eu_eeas, @antonioguterres @JunckerEU
— Action 4 Palestine Global (@Act4PalGlobal) October 2, 2018
The European Union adopted a strong stance against the decision to demolition Khan Al-Ahmar by describing the Israeli plan as a war crime. As the leading figure of the European block, Merkel risked undermining her standing by visiting Israel after charging its leaders with committing war crimes.
The German leader also came under pressure from residents of Khan Al-Ahmar. Yesterday villagers held up pictures of Chancellor Merkel and called for her to help in stopping the demolition of their homes. Children held up placards with the words “Save our school” and “Save Khan Al-Ahmar”.
The children of #khanalAhmar, a Palestinian village facing demolition by Israel, sending a message to Angela Merkel before her official visit to Jerusalem tomorrow: No to demolishing Khan al-Ahmar, Save our school. @GermanyDiplo pic.twitter.com/0qqQkGrU6B
— B'Tselem בצלם بتسيلم (@btselem) October 2, 2018
Israel appears to have backed off temporarily to avoid diplomatic tensions with the Germans but the demolition orders as stated in the notice given to residents on September 23 are expected to go ahead soon.
Earlier this month several members of the European Union including Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Britain came out against Israel's plan to demolish Khan al-Ahmar and the subsequent expulsion of dozens of families from their home and land. https://t.co/Uq6xYeZAc4
— The IMEU (@theIMEU) September 28, 2018
Merkel is expected to hold a one-day visit in Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin. The visit will also include a trip to the Israel Museum along with Netanyahu and a technological innovation exhibition of six Israeli companies. She will also receive an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Haifa at Springer Auditorium.
Merkel is not scheduled to visit the occupied Palestinian territories or meet with any Palestinian leaders.
(MEMO, PC, Social Media)
