Unrecognized and Unwanted: Demolition and Forced Displacement in Area C
Channel: New America
Date: 04/04/2014

Unrecognized and Unwanted:
Demolition and Forced Displacement in Area C

The Oslo Accords -- signed in the 1993 -- classified 60 percent of West Bank lands as "Area C." An estimated 300,000 Palestinians live this area which also hosts all 125 Israeli settlements. Israeli authorities have full control of this area, including sole control over planning and construction. Israel strictly limits Palestinian inhabitation, construction and development in Area C. Palestinians are denied any legal avenue to build homes, grow their communities or develop communal infrastructure. Without an alternative, Palestinian residents of these areas build homes and infrastructure to address their needs, and Israel considers these structures illegal and orders their demolition. 

The last year has witnessed a dramatic increase in these demolitions and evacuations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem according to findings by B'Tselem and other human rights organizations. This development has transpired in tandem with the revived peace process. Amira Hass, Haaretz correspondent for the occupied territories, and Kareem Jubran, the head of field research at B'Tselem, analyzed the significant rise in demolitions and evacuations and explained the legal framework that seeks to prevent Palestinian development in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Join the conversation online using #BtselemUSA and following @lisang and @BTselemUSA.
 
Participants
Amira Hass 
Correspondent for the Occupied Territories, Haaretz

Kareem Issa Jubran
Field Research Director, B'Tselem
 
Lisa Goldman
Director, Israel-Palestine Initiative, New America Foundation

http://newamerica.net/events/2014/unrecognized_and_unwanted