Amid war and emergency: Demolitions in Jerusalem
Self-demolitions and forced demolitions are ongoing in Jerusalem, amid the continued state of emergency caused by the war and an increase in Israeli actions against Palestinian homes.
In the past few hours, three homes in Jerusalem were demolished, displacing several residents. This occurs amid ongoing Israeli efforts to enforce demolition orders during the wartime state of emergency, while the occupation municipality continues to levy fines and threaten forced demolitions on the grounds of illegal construction.
Residents reported they had to demolish their homes to escape steep fines or legal issues, due to the tough economic and living conditions worsened by the ongoing war and emergency measures.
Ali Abu Rmeileh from the Kroum Qamar area of Silwan confirmed that his family had to self-demolish his son's house for the second time within six years. He mentioned that he rebuilt the house after the initial demolition, which was under 60 square meters. He also stated that he had been fined 65,000 shekels previously, and that the family was forced to carry out the demolition themselves to avoid additional penalties.
He explained that the house was home to four people, and the family is expecting a new baby, as the wife is pregnant.
In the Al-Bustan neighborhood, Khalil Badran self-demolished his 100-square-meter house, which had stood since 2018 and housed four people, after being fined 48,000 shekels two years prior.
Similarly, the Ateeq family in the Old City self-demolished their home, which was approximately 20 square meters and housed four people.
