BETHLEHEM, August 17, 2017 (WAFA) – An Israeli court suspended on Thursday an order to demolish 18 Palestinian homes in the village of al-Walajeh, near Bethlehem, following an appeal by the Defense of Land Committee, according to Hasan Breijieh from the anti-wall, anti-settlements committee in Bethlehem.

He said Attorney Ghayyath Nasser got a court order temporarily suspending the demolition decision issued under the pretext of construction without permit.

Nasser had previously obtained court order also suspending demolition of 16 other homes in the same area and for the same reason.

The Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem, which claims right to most of Walajeh land in an area known as Ein Jweizeh following its illegal annexation after the 1967 war, is seeking to demolish all 70 Palestinian homes in that area under the pretext of construction without permit.

The 2000 plus residents of Ein Jweizeh, who carry West Bank identity cards since they were not annexed with the land to Israel, say they build on their land without permit because they are unable to obtain building permit from the Israeli municipality.

In the meantime, the municipality continues to expand the illegal settlement of Gilo on Walajeh and nearby Beit Jala land at the expense of the local Palestinian population.

M.K.