Theresa May: Israel's demolition of Khan Al-Ahmar 'a major blow for two-state solution'

The issue was raised by Scottish Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael, who told the House of Commons that the “forcible removal” of those deemed a protected people by the United Nations would “constitute a war crime”.

Mr Carmichael said that earlier on Wednesday, Israeli forces had “tasered and pepper sprayed” activists protesting against the planned demolition.

On Wednesday, the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda repeated the suggestion that the destruction of the Bedouin village would constitute a war crime and added: “Evacuation by force now appears imminent."

Israel says Khan al-Ahmar was built illegally and has offered to resettle its residents a few miles away. But critics say the demolition aims to displace Palestinians in favour of Israeli settlement expansion.

The European Parliament passed a resolution last month calling the decision to demolish and transfer Khan al-Ahmar a breach of international humanitarian law.

The resolution also demands compensation from Israel for the destruction of European Union-funded infrastructure in the village.