Washington- A large group of 83 Democrat members of Congress sent a letter on Thursday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, calling him to “immediately engage with the Israeli government on the potential evictions of more than 1,000 Palestinians from their homes in Masafer Yatta in the West Bank.”
In the letter, led by Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.-01) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the Democrats wrote “with urgent concern over the decision by Israel’s High Court to allow the military to evict approximately 1,000 Palestinian people from their homes in the Masafer Yatta region of the occupied West Bank.”
“We are deeply concerned that this relocation of Palestinian families from homes they have lived on for generations could spark violence, is in direct violation of international humanitarian law, and could further undermine efforts to reach a two-state solution,” the members continued.
“As supporters of a strong US-Israel relationship, we believe such evictions undermine our shared democratic values, imperil Israel’s security, and disregard Palestinian human and civil rights.”
They went on to write that they were deeply concerned about what may happen if these evictions move forward.
“Evicting Palestinian people from their homes is inconsistent with international humanitarian law, according to Articles 49 and 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and inconsistent with efforts to reach a two-state solution, the members wrote.
“We respectfully request that you immediately engage with the Israeli government to prevent these evictions and further military training exercises in the area.”
“We further ask that you encourage the Israeli government to approve master plans for the villages in Masafer Yatta so that these Palestinian communities may build and maintain homes, schools, infrastructure, and sustain their agricultural and pastoral lands. With President Biden visiting Israel in late June, it is critical that the Administration respond quickly to ensure that this momentous trip can deliver concrete steps toward peace.”
At the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the Biden administration had voiced its concern about this issue, as she urged ‘Israel’ not to forcibly displace the Palestinians.
“It is important to refrain from unilateral actions that exacerbate tensions and jeopardize a negotiated two-state solution. This includes the situation in Masafer Yatta and other evictions, which we continue to monitor closely and voice our concerns about,” she said.
Masafer Yatta is a rural area in the south of the occupied West Bank, home to over 1000 Palestinians including 500 children. Earlier this month, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that the ancient Palestinian villages of Masafer Yatta be ethnically cleansed of their Palestinian inhabitants, in one of the largest forced expulsions of Palestinians since the Naksa of 1967.
