Silwan: Distributing demolition fine to several houses in the neighborhood of Al-Bustan
The Special Forces along with employees from the Jerusalem municipality raided Al-Bustan neighborhood in Silwan on Thursday and issued fine for several houses that ranged between 30-50 thousand NIS. The locals explained that large Israeli forces along with the municipality employees raided the neighborhood and broke into houses and imposed fine on the residents in addition to imposing “building violation fine” for more than 10 families. Fakhri Abu Diab, member of the committee of protecting lands and property, explained that the municipality crews deliberately behaved brutally and intimidated and terrorized the population as they broke into their houses and broke the main doors and damaged the contents of their houses; note that only women and children were present in some of the houses. Abu Diab added that the municipality crews forced some of the residents to pay some fines on the spot in order for them to leave and some of them had to pay fines between 1000 and 5000 NIS. Among the affected families who had to immediately pay the money were the families of: Fakhri Abu Diab (2000 NIS), Rweidi (3000 NIS), Ahmad Mohammad Abed and Mazen Mahmoud Abu Diab (5000 NIS for each). The municipality also issued fines for Zaytoon, Abu Rajab, Hamdan and Al-Qadi families. Abu Diab pointed out that the municipality threatened his wife to confiscate her personal gold if she fails to immediately pay. He also added that they handed several families “building violation fines” that ranged between 30 and 50 thousand NIS. Abu Diab also noted that the municipality refused to talk to the lawyer of Al-Bustan neighborhood and acted violently with the residents and deliberately intimidated them and stole their money.
