Tonight, B'Tselem issued an urgent letter
to the Defense Minister calling on him to withdraw the order to demolish
the market in Nazlat 'Issa, In the Tulkarm district of the West Bank.
B'Tselem called upon the Minister to
take the necessary measures to legalize the businesses in the market, or
find an alternative solution that would not harm the livelihood of the
vendors and their families.
B'Tselem warned that demolishing the market would severely violate the human rights of hundreds of residents and constitute a breach of international law which binds Israel as the occupying force in the Territories.
Over the last two days, the Civil Administration notified store owners in the Nazlat 'Issa market of the imminent demolition and ordered them to clear out their merchandise. Demolishing the market will destroy the principal source of income for the residents of the village and its vicinity.