#KhanAlAhmar

The case of Khan Al-Ahmar has been drawing the attention of politicians, activists and human rights defenders across the world. Israeli authorities issued a demolition order against the Bedouin village giving residents until 1 October to demolish their homes or risk having to pay authorities to demolish them.

Situated east of Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank, Khan Al-Ahmar is home to Al-Jahhalin Bedouins who are refugees from the Negev desert. They have lived in the area since their displacement by the Israeli army in 1967. Israel has refused to recognise Al-Jahhalin Bedouin communities or grant them building permits, a strategy often used by Israel to term any Bedouin home illegal.

Activists have said plans to demolish the village pave the way for the expansion of nearby settlements Ma’ale Adumim and Kfar Adumim, two illegal Jewish-only settlements situated on the Jerusalem-Jericho road.

READ: Israel settlers flood Khan Al-Ahmar with waste water

As several days have passed since the October deadline, online activists have been using the hashtag #KhanAlAhmar in an effort to raise awareness of the “war crime” which Palestinian Bedouin are being threatened with.

The UN is among those calling on Israel “to cease demolition” which “undermine prospect for two state solution and are against international law”.

#UN has called on #Israel to cease demolition of #Palestinian property and efforts to relocate #Bedouin communities in the #WestBank. Demolitions undermine prospect for two state solution and are against international law https://t.co/kT4ext2Dma #KhanAlAhmar

— Nickolay E. MLADENOV (@nmladenov) September 5, 2018

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was said to have warned Israel that she would cancel her planned trip to the country if Khan Al-Ahmar was demolished. Activists were quick to condemn her remarks as only a temporary fix to an ongoing human rights issue.

#KhanAlAhmar • Netanyahu government plan to demolish the Bedouin village in West Bank is on temporary hold to avoid embarrassing the German chancellor. BUT It seems Angela Merkel is satisfied by Israel’s pretence of restraint during the visit. pic.twitter.com/vjZ824rh6B

— The Palestine Project (@PalestineProjct) October 4, 2018

While others applauded Merkel’s intervention at a time when opposition figures in Israel remain silent on the issue.

On #KhanAlAhmar demolition, an issue significant enough for one @AngelaMerkeICDU, Israel's so-called "opposition" leaders @GabbayAvi @Tzipi_Livni @yairlapid are mute. Their roaring silence is so taken for granted, that @netanyahu doesn't even need bother thank them.

— Hagai El-Ad חגי אלעד حجاي إلعاد (@HagaiElAd) October 3, 2018

Amnesty International called on Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the [Occupied] Territories (COGAT) to “stop the demolition” and the other “#warcrimes”.

Maj-Gen Kamil Abu Rukun: the demolition of #KhanAlAhmar is a war crime. As head of @cogat_israel you must stop the demolition of #Palestinian homes and other #warcrimes. The world is watching!

— Amnesty International (@amnesty) September 30, 2018

Twitter user James Anderson urged the head of COGAT “to find your humanity and refuse demolition orders”.

https://twitter.com/pibroch1234/status/1047459058859397120

Activists from Palestine and across the world tweeted their frustration at the decision, saddened by their helplessness as Israel continues unabated with its “colonial settlement project”.

Shortly after the #Jewish high holiest of holidays, #israel is back to its immoral, ethnic cleansing. This time of #khanalAhmar Bedouin village near Jerusalem. 92 kids who live in tents and huts will be evicted to expand the colonial settlement project.

— WeRSoFckd (@TheGreenDan) October 3, 2018

I feel helpless here in #Gaza, the most I can do is wear red today in support of #KhanAlAhmar to send my love.

— Omar Ghraieb (@Omar_Gaza) October 3, 2018

READ: Imminent demolition of Khan Al-Ahmar ‘heartless’ and a ‘war crime’