West Bank village sues 2 Canadian companies for building in Jewish West Bank settlements

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"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 Israel's largest settlement, Modiin Illit, in violation of international law. The construction is taking place on land seized from Biliin after Israel captured the West Bank in 1967, the suit says.

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 Modiin Illit, Sfard said. About 250 apartments in 30 buildings are at issue, he said."

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