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Bil'in sues Canadian building companies
July 10, 2008
Source : Jerusalem Post
By Associated Press
A West Bank village has sued two Canadian companies for building in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, the village’s lawyer said Thursday.
Attorney Michael Sfard said this was the first time a private company has been sued for investing in settlements. The claim was filed Wednesday in Superior Court in Montreal, Canada, against Green Park International and Green Mount International, sister companies registered in Quebec.
The village claims the companies have been building in Modi’in Illit in violation of international law. The suit says the construction is taking place on land seized from Bil’in after the Six Day War.
Among other things, the claim cites the Fourth Geneva Convention, which forbids an occupying power from transferring its own civilians into occupied territory.
The suit asks the Canadian court to order a halt to all construction and the demolition of all the homes the companies have built in Modi’in Illit, Sfard said. About 250 apartments in 30 buildings are at issue, he said.
The village also seeks punitive damages of 2 million Canadian dollars.
The Canadian companies could not be contacted immediately because of the time difference.
"This is the first time a private sector entity is being sued for investment in settlements," Sfard said. "My understanding is that it will serve as a blinking red light for any investors and corporations that are considering doing anything in the settlements."
Bil’in is best known for its weekly protests against Israel’s West Bank separation barrier, which is being built to stop suicide bombers.
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More information : Press release including a full copy of the claim
