A bill introduced by Oded Forer, a member of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, for the Yisrael Beitenu party, seeks to stop EU support for illegal Palestinian construction in Area C of the West Bank which is under full Israeli civil and military control.

If passed, the billwould strip diplomats of immunity in activities relating to terror, human trafficking and illegal construction, and would hold European Union diplomats liable for helping Palestinians build illegally in Area C.

‘’Immunity for foreign diplomats is important, ‘’Forer said, but it cannot be used to “legitimize activities that at the end of the day harm the state and the citizens of Israel.”

The EU argued that its support for Palestinian construction falls under the category of humanitarian relief and is permissible under international law. They have noted that the lack of sufficient Israeli permits for Palestinian construction in Area C makes it impossible for Palestinians to exercise their basic human right to housing.

EJP