The Regavim Movement responded to the European Union reaction to the demolition of 15 houses in the Sur Baher neighborhood, calling it "a new record of hypocrisy on the part of the European Union".
The EU said “Israel continues to destroy homes, most of them in Areas A and B, in which, under the Oslo Accords, civilian matters are under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority.”
Regavim responded to the EU statement with a statement of its own: “This takes EU hypocrisy to a whole new level. On one hand, the implication of the EU’s complaint is recognition of Israel's authority and jurisdiction in Area C. On the other hand, at the same time, the EU continues to blatantly violate international and Israeli law by providing direct support for the Palestinian take-over of Area C, undermining Israeli sovereignty in a manner it would never dare to do regarding any other sovereign state.”
“Today’s enforcement activity in Tsur Baher proves beyond a shadow of doubt that the Israeli government is perfectly capable of exercising its sovereignty and demolishing illegal Arab construction. It also demonstrates that European censure and leftist criticism have not caused the world to collapse. Great news. Now, there are only 28,651 more illegal structures in Area C to demolish before we can call it a day.”
The structures in question are between Area B and Area A, and the decision to demolish them was approved yesterday by the Supreme Court, who rejected a Muslim claim against the demolition.
These are 12 structures that include more than 70 housing units built near the separation fence, and according to the Supreme Court ruling may constitute a security threat. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan explained that the structures were built too close to the security barrier, and could be used as a haven for terrorists.