Question for written answer E-005725/2020 to the Commission Rule 138 Karen Melchior (Renew), Nathalie Loiseau (Renew), Hilde Vautmans (Renew), María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos (Renew), Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew), Michal Šimečka (Renew), Javier Nart (Renew), Irena Joveva (Renew), Barry Andrews (Renew), Pascal Durand (Renew), Brando Benifei (S&D), Grace O'Sullivan (Verts/ALE), Nikolaj Villumsen (GUE/NGL), Evin Incir (S&D), Giuliano Pisapia (S&D), Tanja Fajon (S&D), Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE), Ernest Urtasun (Verts/ALE) Subject: Demolition and confiscation of EU-funded aid projects in the West Bank At a Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee hearing in the Israeli Knesset on 13 August 2020, a Civil Administration official described new legal instruments which have allowed Israeli authorities to expand the demolition and seizure of Palestinian homes and structures, including EU-funded aid projects1. Priority areas for action against the Palestinian presence in Area C include areas surrounding Jerusalem, Ma’ale Adumim and the E1 area, the South Hebron Hills and the Jordan Valley2. On 11 September 2020, NIS 20 million were allocated to map ‘unauthorised Palestinian construction’ in Area C – the first time that funds have been allocated for such a survey under the state budget3. Given that the monthly average number of demolitions is higher this year despite the coronavirus pandemic than during the previous peak in 20164, and in light of the dramatic spike in settlement expansion5, 1. What concrete measures has the Commission taken to ensure financial compensation from Israel for the cost of demolished or seized EU-funded aid projects, including the potential deduction of this amount from EU-Israel bilateral support? 2. What are the EU’s red lines regarding Israeli activity in the above-mentioned priority areas which may jeopardise the possibility of a two-state solution? 1 Minutes of the Knesset hearing of the Foreign and Defence Committee, 12 August 2020 (in Hebrew), http://fs.knesset.gov.il/23/Committees/23_ptv_581852.doc 2 Ibid. 3 https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-settlement-ministry-gets-6m-to-survey-unauthorized- palestinian-construction-1.9147627 4 Unlawful Demolitions in the West Bank Spike During COVID-19 – Statement by Humanitarian Coordinator Jamie McGoldrick, 10 September 2020, https://www.un.org/unispal/document/unlawful-demolitions-in-the- west-bank-spike-during-covid-19-statement-by-humanitarian-coordinator-jamie-mcgoldrick/ 5 West Bank: Statement by the High Representative Josep Borrell on Israeli settlement expansion, https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/87070/west-bank-statement-high- representative-josep-borrell-israeli-settlement-expansion_en PE659.975v01-00.