Norway condemns the expulsion of Palestinian family in Jerusalem – Our Land
“The eviction of the Salihiya family from their home in Sheikh Jarrah in the occupied East Jerusalem on the night of January 19 is unacceptable,” said Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt.
Israeli authorities demolished the home after family members and others staying there were arrested. The family says they have lived in the house since 1967, but Israel accuses them of being house occupiers.
The eviction is the first since 2017 in the conflict-ridden part of East Jerusalem, but there are disputes over a number of other houses.
Huitfeldt took up the eviction when she chaired a meeting of the UN Security Council on Wednesday, where the topic was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Security Council has previously condemned all attempts to change the demographic composition of the population in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem.
– The rights of Palestinians in East Jerusalem must be respected. Although many are angry, I now urge everyone to avoid a new flare-up, says Huitfeldt.
Norway considers the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, to be in violation of international law. Huitfeldt points out that Norway supports Palestinian organizations that work to protect the rights of the Palestinian people and provides legal assistance in cases of eviction decisions.