A Palestinian community facing demolition orders in the E1 area of the West Bank has responded to recent UK sanctions targeting illegal Israeli settlement activity. The sanctions followed new Israeli tenders for construction in the zone east of Jerusalem.
What prompted the UK sanctions?
The UK imposed sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israeli authorities responded with counter-measures against UK nationals and organisations. The move came after Israel issued tenders for new settlement homes in the E1 area. These tenders followed plans that have drawn widespread international condemnation. The sanctions came after Israel opened up tenders for the construction of settlement homes in the strategically important so-called E1 area east of Jerusalem.
Why the E1 area matters
The E1 zone lies east of Jerusalem. Plans there have drawn international criticism because development would split the West Bank in two and isolate East Jerusalem from surrounding Palestinian areas. The development would in effect divide the West Bank in two, and isolate East Jerusalem. The BBC visited the Palestinian community of Khan al Ahmar located inside this zone and also the neighbouring Israeli settlement of Maale Admumim.
Community perspective in Khan al Ahmar
Residents of Khan al Ahmar live under demolition orders from Israel. [TO VERIFY: specific resident statements on sanctions impact not detailed in source material] The BBC report notes the community's location within the contested E1 area and includes visits to the neighbouring Israeli settlement of Maale Admumim. The sanctions were triggered directly by the new tenders for settlement homes. The BBC's Middle East Correspondent Lucy Williamson has been to the Palestinian community of Khan al Ahmar in the E1 area, and also to the neighbouring Israeli settlement of Maale Admumim.
Next developments
Further updates on reactions from both communities and any additional diplomatic steps remain to be reported. Updates from your News topics will appear in My News and in a collection on the News homepage. The BBC's Middle East Correspondent Lucy Williamson covered the visits to Khan al Ahmar and Maale Admumim in the E1 area.