JERUSALEM, Tuesday, December 24, 2019 (WAFA) – Israeli bulldozers demolished today a Palestinian house under construction in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya, displacing a family of nine members.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center, a Silwan-based watchdog, posted a video showing scores of police officers escorted a bulldozer to Issawiya, where the heavy machinery tore down a three-story building belonging to Jamal Elian purportedly for being built without a license.
Police are also seen indiscriminately opening fire towards residents during the demolition.
Speaking over the phone with WAFA, Elian, told WAFA police demolished his house, which occupied a total area of 400 square meters, where he and his family, which consists of eight members, were supposed to reside.
He noted that last night he received a notice from the Israeli authorities, ordering him to tear down his house by himself or else he would pay exorbitant fees if the municipality proceed to carry out the demolition.
This was not the first time that Elian’s house was demolished. His first house was demolished in May 2015, and at the time he was not allowed sufficient time to evacuate his belongings and furniture.
Using the pretext of illegal building, Israel demolishes houses on a regular basis to restrict Palestinian expansion in occupied Jerusalem.
At the same time, the municipality and government build tens of thousands of housing units in illegal settlements in East Jerusalem for Jews with a goal to offset the demographic balance in favor of the Jewish settlers in the occupied city.
Although Palestinians in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian Territory that has been subject to Israeli military occupation since 1967, they are denied their citizenship rights and are instead classified only as "residents" whose permits can be revoked if they move away from the city for more than a few years.
They are also discriminated against in all aspects of life including housing, employment and services, and are unable to access services in the West Bank due to the construction of Israel‘s separation wall.
K.F.
