UK ‘concerned’ by claims Israel demolished Covid testing centre in Hebron

Middle East Minister James Cleverly said 'demolitions, in all but the most exceptional circumstances, are contrary to international humanitarian law'

7 September 2020, 11:06 am

Palestinian laborers head to work in Israel through a checkpoint amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), near Hebron in the West Bank May 3, 2020. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma

Britain’s Middle East Minister James Cleverly has said the Government is “concerned” by reports that Israeli authorities had demolished a Covid-19 drive-through testing centre of the West Bank city of Hebron.

He made the comments in response to a question in the House of Commons from SDLP parliamentarian Colum Eastwood. It was the latest tabled by an MP on reports of Israeli hindrance of Palestinian efforts to stop the virus’s spread.

“We are concerned by the reports of a recent demolition of a Covid-19 testing centre in Hebron,” said Cleverly.

James Cleverly

“We have not to-date made representations on this particular case, but we have repeatedly made clear to the Israeli authorities our view that demolitions, in all but the most exceptional circumstances, are contrary to international humanitarian law.”

Humanitarian agencies are worried about Covid-19 is spreading through densely-populated Palestinian refugee camps in places like Gaza and Syria, while in the West Bank, where there are now almost 10,000 active cases, the Palestinian Authority announced a staggered return for schools.