Approximately 1,100 Palestinians, over half of them children, were displaced due to home demolitions in the West Bank by Israeli forces in 2011 – over 80 per cent more than in the previous year – according to a United Nations Report. “Demolitions and Forced Displacement in the Occupied West Bank.” The Report was prepared (January 26, 2012) by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and notes that an additional 4,200 people were affected by the demolition of structures related to their livelihoods. Report also states that Israeli forces destroyed 622 structures owned by Palestinians including homes, animal shelters, classrooms and mosques – a 42 per cent increase compared to 2010. Israeli forces destroyed 622 structures owned by Palestinians including homes, animal shelters, classrooms and mosques – a 42 per cent increase compared to 2010. Over 60 per cent of the Palestinian-owned structures demolished in 2011 were located in areas allocated to Israeli settlements. Report adds that that 90 per cent of the demolitions and 92 per cent of the displacement occurred in already vulnerable farming and herding communities in the territory known as “Area C” – which represents over 60 per cent of the West Bank where Israel retains control over security, planning and building. In East Jerusalem there was a “significant” decrease compared to previous years, with 42 structures demolished. However, at least 93,100 residents who live in structures built without a permit, remain at risk of displacement. (Read: - “East Jerusalem Report” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/east-jerusalem-higher-violence-more-settlements-un-security-council-told-by-ambassador-mo/43746 “Israel, as the occupying Power, has a fundamental responsibility to protect the Palestinian civilian population under its control and to ensure their dignity and well-being,” stated Maxwell Gaylard, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory and Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, he witnessed first hand the suffering and destruction caused by this ongoing practice. “The wholesale destruction of their homes and livelihoods is not consistent with that responsibility or humanitarian ideals,” The new Report(s) come at a critical time as the UN Security General plans to travel to the region in a few days to provide some impetus to the prospect og negotiations, largely stalled over the settlements issue. Read “UN SG to Travel/Peace Push Israel/Palestine”- diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/peace-push-un-sec-gen-to-israel-palestinian-territories-by-ambassador-mo/44131 According to Mr. Gaylard, Israel, as the occupying Power, has a fundamental responsibility to protect the Palestinian civilian population under its control and to ensure their dignity and well-being. Mr. Gaylard witnessed the immediate consequences and documented a recent demolition. “Bulldozers and troops had arrived in the middle of the night of 23 January, he was told, and that 52 people, including 29 children, had been forced from their homes, which were then destroyed.” Read More at the report below. (Above Top Photo – Scenes of Demolished Home in West Bank & Bottom Photo – Palestinian children at UN Refugee Agency in Gaza “A quarter million children in Gaza are participating in the Summer Games 2011, the six-week summer camps organised by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Taking place across the Gaza Strip at almost 300 locations, in schools, on beaches and in orphanages and hospitals, the camps provide a range of activities for the children including sports, theatre, art, beach games, music and dance.”) By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey – Twitter @MuhamedSacirbey Facebook = Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX War Crimes Justice Channel - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice Statement by Mr. Maxwell Gaylard, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, calling for an end to home demolitions in the West Bank Report — UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, Mr. Maxwell Gaylard, today called for an immediate end to the demolition of Palestinian homes by the authorities of the Government of Israel in the occupied West Bank. During a visit on 26 January to Anata village on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Mr. Gaylard saw the ruins of seven Palestinian homes demolished earlier in the week and met with representatives of the displaced families. He was informed that bulldozers and troops had arrived in the middle of the night of 23 January and that 52 people, including 29 children, had been forced from their homes, which were then completely destroyed. For the year 2011, some 622 homes and livelihood structures belonging to Palestinian families were similarly destroyed, forcibly displacing almost 1,100 people, over half of them children, and compromising the livelihoods of several thousand more. Mr. Gaylard noted that these figures represent a dramatic increase compared with previous years, and that a much greater number, in the tens of thousands, remain under threat of dispossession, demolition and displacement. “Israel, as the Occupying Power, has a fundamental responsibility to protect the Palestinian civilian population under its control and to ensure their dignity and well-being. The wholesale destruction of their homes and livelihoods is not consistent with that responsibility or humanitarian ideals,” added Mr. Gaylard. “The current policy and practice of demolitions cause extensive human suffering and should end. Palestinians urgently require ready access to a fair and non-discriminatory planning and zoning system that meets their needs for growth and development.” Mr. Gaylard also commended the work undertaken by human rights and humanitarian organizations to support Palestinian families in distress. He expressed serious concern about the repeated destruction of facilities supported by them. For more information, please contact Elin Asgeirsdottir, asgeirsdottire@un.org