Demolition orders haunt Jerusalemites: A residential building in Al-Tur and a house in Silwan were demolished
Demolitions persist in Jerusalem due to the occupation municipality's policies that require Palestinians to navigate complicated and expensive licensing processes. As a result, many families choose to self-demolish their own homes to prevent facing steep fines and demolition expenses from Israeli authorities.
In At-Tur, the Abu Jom'a family is self-demolishing their two-apartment building owned by brothers Nabil and Sami Abu Jom'a.
The Abu Jom'a family stated that the building was built in 2000. They spent years seeking legal approval and repeatedly tried to obtain a permit. Throughout this period, they successfully delayed and temporarily halted demolition orders multiple times, while also paying accumulated fines and penalties.
The authorities set a June 26th deadline for the family to complete the demolition themselves, prompting them to begin tearing down the building. There are five residents living in the two apartments.
Among the family members is Nabil Sami Abu Jom’a, a high school student who completed his final mock exam yesterday as preparation for the Tawjihi (official) exams. Instead of focusing on review and study in the days leading up to the exams, he and his family were caught up in the demolition of their home, which brought psychological stress and anxiety about the future and their family's destiny after losing their house.
In the town of Silwan, Ashraf Burqan was compelled to self-demolish his 60-square-meter home in the Bi’er Ayoub neighborhood, which housed three people.
The increase in self-demolitions in Jerusalem stems from Israeli construction policies and permit restrictions. Palestinian families encounter lengthy, costly procedures and numerous appeals. When facing demolition, homeowners must choose between demolishing their homes themselves or paying for municipal demolition and fines.
