Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The European Union canceled the diplomatic reception that was scheduled in Tel Aviv to celebrate Europe Day, which falls tomorrow, May 9; Because of his objection to the participation of the Israeli Minister of Internal Security, Itamar Ben Jvir, who is known for his extremist positions as a representative of the Israeli government.
"The ceremony has been canceled because we do not want to provide a platform for someone whose views are at odds with the values that the European Union stands for," the federation said in a press statement.
European ambassadors to Israel recommended - according to the newspaper "Haaretz" - to cancel the speeches during the annual reception on "Europe Day" at the European Union embassy in Tel Aviv. With the aim of preventing "Ben Juffair" from giving his speech at the ceremony, which was assigned by the Israeli government to participate in it.
The newspaper indicated that the ceremony was postponed for several days, in order to give the Israeli government an opportunity to dispatch a representative other than "Ben Juffair" to the ceremony, but the ambassadors were afraid of the Israeli minister's insistence on attending the ceremony, and therefore decided to cancel it.
The European Union condemned the demolition of a school funded by the European Union, in the village of Jubbet Al-Dhib in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, by Israeli forces.
A press release published by the European Union's External Action Service, on its official website, stated that the European Union is closely following this case and requests the Israeli authorities not to complete the demolitions that directly affect 81 children and their education.
In its statement, the European Union affirmed that the demolitions are illegal under international law, and the right of children to education must be respected. It called on Israel to stop all demolitions and evictions, which will only increase the suffering of the Palestinian population and threaten to ignite tensions on the ground.
The statement indicated that last year witnessed the demolition or seizure of a total of 954 buildings by the occupation authorities throughout the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - the highest number recorded since 2016, and more than 80% of the demolished buildings (781) are located In Area C, which has displaced 1,032 people as a result of demolitions, this year is already moving in a similar direction, which is cause for concern.
 
Source: agencies