JERUSALEM (JTA) — Eight European Union countries for the first time have called on Israel to compensate them for demolishing West Bank mobile structures and infrastructures that they provided.
Belgium reportedly is leading the effort, Haaretz reported, citing a senior European diplomat. The other countries are France, Spain, Sweden, Luxembourg, Italy, Ireland and Denmark.
The eight nations are part of a consortium that has provided humanitarian assistance to Area C of the West Bank, which is under full control of Israel. Israel considers the European activity in Area C illegal development, not humanitarian.
Their protest letter to Israel will be delivered to senior Israel Foreign Ministry officials in coming days, according to Haaretz. The French daily Le Monde initially reported on the letter.
Among the confiscated items were solar panels installed in Bedouin communities. Mobile homes for use as extra classrooms were among the demolished structures.
