Regavim, the Israeli legal watchdog issued a statement congratulating the Civil Administration on the swift action taken to demolish five illegally built, European-funded structures in Umm-el Khair, just days after Regavim filed a complaint against them. In recent years, the European Union has unilaterally built over a thousand illegal structures across Area C in violation of international law.

Josh Hasten, Regavim’s international director commented: “Regavim commends the Israeli authorities for the swift demolition of five illegally built European Union funded buildings in Umm-el Khair. This morning’s action comes after years of lobbying against the EU’s rampant illegal building across Area C in total disregard for international law, Regavim’s work is beginning to bear fruit with a large increase in demolitions of European structures. We will not stop until there is a total European exit from all Israeli territory.”

Regavim is a legal advocacy organization, dedicated to ensuring responsible, legal and accountable use of Israel’s national land. By investigating claims on the ground level, Regavim protects national land interests, presenting its findings in the form of white papers and legal action, in addition to briefing the press and diplomatic corps.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)