Schakowsky statement on the planned demolition of Khan al-Ahmar

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip, released the following statement following the Israeli High Court of Justice approval of the planned demolition of the West Bank village of Khan al-Ahmar for any time the government sees fit this month:

“At any moment in the coming days and weeks, the 180 residents of Khan al-Ahmar could be displaced by the destruction of their entire village, including their school, homes, and house of worship. This cannot be allowed.

“The destruction of this village is particularly worrying because it would clear the way for new settlements to be built that would isolate East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. This would make a contiguous Palestinian state, which is necessary for a viable two-state solution, significantly more difficult to achieve.

“This is why 76 members of the House of Representatives, led by myself and Congressman John Yarmuth, sent a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu urging him not to demolish Palestinian villages like Khan al-Ahmar and Susya. In the letter, we stated that ‘the destruction and displacement of such communities would run counter to shared US and Israeli values, while further undermining long-term Israeli security, Palestinian dignity, and the prospects for peacefully achieving two states for two people.’ This remains true – these demolitions must be halted.”