The United States is publicly criticizing Israel for continuing to demolish Palestinian homes in the West Bank. According to the United Nations, at least 41 structures were destroyed in March, including a school. State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau addressed the issue on Friday.

Elizabeth Trudeau: “We are concerned about the demolitions undertaken by Israeli authorities that continue throughout the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These actions are indicative of a damaging trend of demolition, displacement and land confiscation, and, alongside settlement-related activity and continued construction, undermine the possibility of a two-state solution. They also call into question the Israeli government’s commitment to that two-state solution.”

On Monday, Israel demolished three more homes owned by families of three Palestinians who were killed after fatally attacking an Israeli officer in February. Ahmad Kmail said the Israeli authorities only gave his family 30 minutes before the home was demolished.

Ahmad Kmail: “The occupation forces raided our house at 1:00 a.m. and asked us to empty it in 30 minutes because they want to demolish it. I was not ready, and the house was not empty. I moved the furniture outside, and they started to demolish it after 30 minutes. This is a discriminatory crime.”