WASHINGTON — Seven thousand Americans yesterday called on the Israeli government to cancel the impending demolition of the Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar in the West Bank.

J Street, the political arm of the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement, delivered the petition to the Israeli embassy in Washington yesterday afternoon, following reports over the weekend that Israeli civil administration and police officials had begun making preparations for the village’s demolition. Two weeks ago, the Israeli government postponed the demolition — due in part to major international opposition. If carried out, the demolition would destroy a community and displace dozens of innocent families.

The thousands of signatures follow those of the 10 US Senators and 76 US House members who have sent letters to Prime Minister Netanyahu, calling on him to reverse course on unjust and destructive demolitions and settlement expansion in the West Bank.

Beyond the devastation it would create for Khan al-Ahmar’s residents, the demolition would also strike a major blow to prospects for a two-state solution and a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians. Destroying the village would help pave the way for the settlement movement to achieve its aim of cutting off East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank — a massive obstacle to the eventual creation of a Palestinian state.

Through the student-led “Stop Demolitions, Build Peace” campaign, J Street continues to work to build international awareness of and opposition to West Bank demolitions and advocating for Congressional leadership and action on this issue. J Street U chapters on campuses across the country are partnering directly with Khan al-Ahmar and other Palestinian communities under imminent threat of demolition.