SW News: Catholic peace movement, Pax Christi, has urged the UN to “immediately oppose” Israel’s plan to evict hundreds of Palestinians from the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan area of East Jerusalem.

“We call on the international community to vehemently denounce these plans and all other actions by the Israeli government to forcibly displace Palestinians either by eviction or home demolitions for the purpose of settler expansion,” wrote Greet Vanaerschot, the Secretary General of the organization.

He reminded the UN how the annexation of land is strictly forbidden by international law. He also quoted an article from the Geneva Convention which “prohibits the forcible transfer of protected populations by an occupying power.”

Israel and Palestine have been in conflict over West Bank and Gaza Strip for more than 70 years. Following a war in 1967, these territories, where a large population of Palestinians reside, came under the control of Israel. Since then, Israel has been building Jewish settlements in West Bank and Gaza Strip.