Illegally constructed EU building razed on Mt. Scopus near Hebrew University
Report: Structure is 1 of 500 illegally built by EU in Israel
By DANIEL K. EISENBUDPhoto of razed EU structure, Jerusalem (photo credit: No items found.)
Government wrecking crews demolished an illegally-constructed European Union structure near the Hebrew University on Jerusalem’s Mount Scopus on Tuesday.Situated a few hundred meters away from the university, and bearing an EU flag, the building was constructed on land designated for a national park, the Jerusalem Municipality said.According to Regavim, a research NGO that monitors illegal land use in Israel, the building is one of 500 structures built by the EU without coordination with the Israeli government.A recent report by the NGO found that the EU’s policy of unilaterally and illegally building on behalf of the Palestinians in Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank is an ongoing problem.Ari Briggs, a co-author of the study who serves as international director of Regavim, said the issue of illegal European structures in Jerusalem is being addressed by the municipality and has been brought to the attention of the European Parliament.“After years of researching this new phenomenon of illegal European settlements in and around Jerusalem, we praise the Jerusalem municipality for beginning to enforce the rule of law,” said Briggs.“We see this action as a direct consequence of the recent Regavim expose on the subject and call on the government of Israel to find an immediate solution for the other 499 structures that we have identified as illegal EU settlements.”Briggs said the report has been presented to the European Parliament and now awaits a formal hearing by its Foreign Policy Committee.
