Israel's ambassador to Belgium, Jacques Revah, was summoned to the Belgian foreign ministry by Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Didier Reynders ‘’to seek clarification on the destruction of a cooperation project financed by Belgium in the West Bank.''
A protest move by the Belgian Ambassador to Israel was also made.
In a statement, the minister condemned ‘’'the destruction by Israeli forces on September 29 of part of the power network inanced by Belgium and implemented by the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC), in the village of Khirbet Al Taweel in the West Bank. '’ The village is located near Nablus.
'’The destruction of a humanitarian project has a direct impact on the people involved, complicating their access to water and economic activities, and is therefore contrary to international humanitarian law. This gesture is all the more regrettable that Belgium had made several representations to the Israeli authorities to prevent the demolition,’’ Reynders said, adding that Belgium would seek financial compensation.
'’Belgium intends to discuss at the European level the issue of compensation to be paid by Israel in such cases. Belgium will also seek assurances from Israel that this destruction will not happen again’ ', the statement mentioned, adding that ‘’other projects of cooperation with our European partners and the European Commission have been affected by similar acts or are at risk of being affected.’’
According to Israel, the construction permits were not authorized. ''The Israeli army destructed the electricity poles because they have been installed without authorization,'' the Israeli ambassador, told Belgian public television RTBF, speaking of a ''misunderstanding.'' ''The village is located in zone C of the West Bank which is entirely under Israeli responsibility. Any development project there must be authorized,'' he said, adding that the head of the village was aware that this part of the project was done illegally.’’ ‘’In any rule-of-law state, also Belgium, you don’t do anything without building permit,’’ he said, stresing that he would provide all explanations to the minister.