RAMALLAH, May 17, 2018 (WAFA) – Concern is high among Palestinian human rights organizations following the enactment of a new Israeli military law that gives the so-called “civil administration”, the Israeli military government’s arm in the occupied West Bank, powers to demolish Palestinian structure and deport residents in areas classified as ‘C‘, which make more than 60 percent of the area of the West Bank.

The “civil administration” was granted powers to remove new and old buildings in Area C of the West Bank, which is under full Israeli military occupation, that were not completed and were not inhabited. It also given extensive powers to demolish any building that was not completed within six months from the date of approval by the military order for the areas designated as ‘C‘.

Issam Arouri, director of the Jerusalem Legal Aid Center, told Voice of Palestine radio on Thursday that a plan to deport Palestinian citizens living in areas classified as ‘C‘ and the demolition of old and new buildings would lead to the deportation of 350,000 Palestinians living in 150 communities.

He warned that this move threatens to demolish hundreds of houses and structures in these communities.

“Israel has been conducting a policy of ethnic cleansing in areas classified as C,” he said, allowing only a handful of building permits in these areas.

The military order will go into effect on June 16, two months after it was signed by the military governor, and for a period of two years.

M.K.