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<p>Officials from our Consulate-General in Jerusalem closely monitor demolitions in
East Jerusalem and the West Bank, working with the EU and the UN Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs. We regularly make clear, publicly and privately, to the Israeli
authorities our serious concerns about the actual or threatened demolition of Palestinian
homes and infrastructure in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Demolitions cause unnecessary
suffering to ordinary Palestinians; are harmful to the peace process; and are contrary
to international humanitarian law. The Fourth Geneva Convention is clear that the
destruction of any real or personal property in Occupied Territory is not justified
unless it is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.</p><p>In addition
we continue to support Palestinians facing demolition or eviction through support
to the Norwegian Refugee Council legal aid programme which helps individuals to challenge
these decisions in the Israeli legal system. We are also funding the International
Peace and Cooperation Centre (IPCC), an independent Palestinian non-profit organisation,
to support long-term planning for Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem and the
West Bank.</p>
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