Self-demolition and financial pressures… an escalation in demolition operations in Jerusalem
Demolitions have increased in Jerusalem in recent days, amid a surge in demolition orders and heavy fines imposed on Palestinian families.
On Saturday, Wael al-Tahhan self-demolished three residential structures. The first was a two-story building with about 200 square meters per floor; the second was another two-story structure of similar size; and the third was a standalone house covering 120 square meters. These buildings, approximately 30 years old, housed around 25 residents. The family was fined a total of 280,000 shekels, as reported by the Jerusalem Governorate.
On the same day, Mohammad al-Tawil self-demolished a 120-square-meter apartment in the al-Shayah neighborhood of Silwan. This apartment had been standing for about 10 years. He was also fined 120,000 shekels.
Meanwhile, the Odeh family continues to carry out the demolition order for two residential apartments in the Al-Bustan neighborhood, despite these buildings having been there for decades. The family notes that part of their property was demolished in 2023, and they also lost a commercial facility last February, causing them considerable financial damage.
The family stated that they have been enforcing the demolition order for the houses of brothers Mohammad and Mahmoud Odeh for several days. This action follows a long legal dispute with the Israeli municipality from 2009 to 2025, which resulted in final demolition orders. A deadline of next Monday has been set for the brothers to comply; after that, the homes will be forcibly demolished. The family is experiencing access issues to the homes and is worried about the neighborhood's well-being.
Mohammad Odeh has lived in his home for 25 years with his family of seven and was fined 120,000 shekels. His brother Mahmoud has also lived in the same house for approximately 25 years with his family of five and received a similar fine of 120,000 shekels.
On the 8th of this month, the Jerusalemite Mohammad Shehadeh Qweider self-demolished his 60-square-meter home in the Al-Bustan neighborhood, which housed four people. The family explained that the house had been standing since 2010 and he had been fined 100,000 shekels for building violations.
On the 7th of this month, brothers Nader and Hatem Baydoun self-demolished their homes in the Al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem explained that "self-demolition" means that the homeowner is forced to carry out the demolition themselves after receiving a final demolition order. This is done to avoid the exorbitant costs imposed by the Israeli municipality if it were to carry out the demolition using its own machinery, as well as to avoid accumulating fines or the potential damage to neighboring homes during the demolition process. Families often resort to this drastic measure after years of legal proceedings, as it is the only way to mitigate their losses, despite the immense emotional strain it entails.
The brothers explained that the two apartments had been standing since 1998, were approximately 90 square meters in size, and housed 10 people.
