Netanyahu Accepts Alternative Plan for Khan al-Ahmar Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has agreed to relocate Khan al-Ahmar, the Palestinian Bedouin village in the occupied West Bank hundred of meters from its current location in return for its recognition according to Tawfiq Jabareen, a lawyer representing the Palestinian Bedouins.

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Jabareen said, as reported by Arab48, negotiations were held between the office of Netanyahu and the attorney, and suggestions have been introduced that included recognizing the village and giving license to all of its buildings and facilities.

The lawyer said that “the talks and suggestions that were presented to Netanyahu’s office and we received an initial approval for are based mainly on the suggestions that we proposed to the Supreme Court in a July appeal, which was rejected by the court, and instead ruled in favor of the civil administration’s request of demolishing and evacuating Khan al-Ahmar.”

According to the proposal, a detailed outline and a master plan for the Khan al-Ahmar village will be prepared under the Jordanian Planning and Building Law which is implemented in the Palestinian territories.

The Israeli authority proposed moving the village of a mere 180 people a couple of hundred meters, and recognizing the town so that they cannot be moved again.

Jabareen attributed this negotiation to the steadfastness of the people of Khan al-Ahmar and international solidarity which spoke against the demolition of the village by Israel.

Khan al-Ahmar, the small Bedouin village has been in the middle of serious international debate for months. In September, the residents were handed out a notice by the Israeli authority to evacuate their village voluntarily or be forcibly removed as they were built illegally according to the occupying authority.

Since the threat, thousands of Palestinians descended on Khan al-Ahmar to stop the demolition. Last week, the Israeli Prime Minister said the demolition will be postponed for a short period of time while they discuss alternative relocation of the residents.

Previously the Israeli authorities suggested a place for relocation to a site 12 kilometers away, near the Palestinian village of Abu Dis and adjacent to a landfill site. This had raised criticism from Palestinians, who warn the proposed location is unsuitable as it poses a health risk.