British Consulate General Dr. Alastair McPhail visits Wadi Al Hummus

• Date: 2017-06-19

The Society of St. Yves – Catholic Center for Human Rights, in cooperation with the Norwegian Refugee Council accompanied the British Consulate General, headed by Consul General, Dr. Alastair McPhail on a field visit to Wadi Al Hummus – Sur Baher, on Thursday 15th of June 2017.  

The British Consulate General team and the NRC started by visiting St. Yves office in the old city of Jerusalem where Adv. Raffoul Rofa gave a general brief on St. Yves establishment, its activities, fields of work and the great increase in its legal cases. Adv. Haytham Khatib, head of the legal department briefed the Consul General on the specific situation of Wadi Al Hummus and Sur Baher, bringing to his attention that today, 12 buildings in the area are under the threat of being demolished. St. Yves is currently legally representing those families and has filed a petition before the Israeli High Court requesting a new injunction to stop the demolition orders.

Following that, St. Yves, the NRC and the British Consulate General headed to Wadi Al Hummus where St. Yves gave a more detailed briefing of the current situation. A few residents of the area gave their testimonies on the instability of their lives as a result of the Israeli policies in the area, and their constant fear of losing their homes at any minute. The residents urged the UK and the international community to protect their rights and stand against the Israeli policies which aim to deprive them from the basic right to decent housing.