Masafer Yatta: Israel's planned expulsion of Palestinians a 'war crime', Democratic lawmakers say

Fifteen Democratic US  lawmakers signed a letter on Tuesday saying that the forcible expusion of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta by Israeli forces would be a “war crime,” according to Haaretz. 

The lawmakers urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to assert diplomatic pressure on Israel to prevent the eviction of more than 1,000 Palestinians from villages in the occupied West Bank. 

Letter from 15 House Democrats calls on @SecBlinken⁩ to stop the Israeli government’s expulsion of Palestinians from the villages of Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank. https://t.co/5mAM6D96Fw

— Khaled Elgindy (@elgindy_) May 31, 2022

"Forced displacement and transfer by Israel of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta would be a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and would amount to a war crime," the lawmakers wrote in the letter. 

Its signatories include Andre Carson, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, Hank Johnson, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.

This comes after a similar letter signed by 83 Democrats from the House and Senate asking Blinken to stop the expulsion, and warned that the forced relocation of the families could spark violence.

The Israeli High Court approved the transfer of more than 1,000 Palestinians from several villages in the southern occupied West Bank in May. Palestinians have lived in the villages for generations, but the Israeli army has repurposed the area as a firing zone. 

The demand from Democratic lawmakers comes just weeks before US President Joe Biden visits Israel. This will be his first official visit to the Middle East since taking office.