WRITTEN QUESTION No. 545/97 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN to the Commission. Threatened approval for the demolition of St Paul's Hill near Jerusalem
Date: 1997-02-21
Institutions: European Parliament, MAIJ-WEGGEN
Subjects: Palestine question, building, cultural heritage, heritage protection, international law, occupied territory













EUR-Lex - 91997E0545 - EN






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91997E0545

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 545/97 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN to the Commission. Threatened approval for the demolition of St Paul's Hill near Jerusalem  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0108 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0545/97 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (21 February 1997)Subject: Threatened approval for the demolition of St Paul's Hill near JerusalemThe Israeli Government has initiated a procedure designed to demolish various tourist attractions on Abu Ghoneim (also known as St Paul's Hill), such as St Theodorus' Well, the ruins of St Luke's Church and the ruins of the Monastery of Marines, in order to replace them with the Jewish settlement Har Homa.This involves demolishing what Palestinian Christians regard as a historic site.Is the Commission prepared to urge the Israeli Government to preserve this important historic site and, hence, to review the construction of this new settlement?Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1997)Israel's settlement activity in the occupied territories constitutes a serious violation of international law. The Commission is firmly opposed to any unilateral action which would alter the status quo of Jerusalem and thus prejudice the outcome of the final status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Therefore, the Commission representative and the Consuls-general of all Member States represented in Jerusalem have established a settlement watch to monitor Israeli settlement activities in the West bank and Gaza strip and all territories occupied by Israel.The Commission is monitoring developments closely. What is particularly troubling about the settlement in question, is that it appears to be one of the final links in a chain of settlements around Jerusalem, disconnecting occupied East Jerusalem from Palestinian social life and economic activity in the rest of the West Bank. In the case of the Jabal Abu Ghoneim/Har Homa project, the closure of the only road from Bethlehem to Jerusalem - which would be a consequence of construction on the site in question - would cut off Bethlehem and its surrounding villages from Jerusalem.Of course, the Commission would also be extremely concerned if construction were to entail the demolition of ancient Christian monuments. Equally, the deforestation of the Abu Ghoneim hill would be most regrettable in an area where woodland is scarce.The Israeli authorities are well aware of the importance which the Union attaches to the strict respect for international law. The Commission, in full coordination with the Member States, uses every opportunity afforded by its regular contacts, to express its opposition to any existing or planned settlements in the occupied territories. The demand is repeatedly made that all settlement activities, especially in and around Jerusalem, should be halted. The position of the Union on the Jabal Abu Ghoneim/Har Homa project has been clearly expressed, notably in its statement dated 26 February 1997, as well as in the United Nations general assembly resolution adopted on 13 March 1997, which was co-sponsored by the 15 Member States.