RAMALLAH, Tuesday, July 02, 2019 (WAFA) – Ministers of local government and Justice, and head of the National Committee to Resist the Wall and Settlements, discussed ways to confront the Israeli authorities’ decision to demolish 16 apartment buildings in Wadi al-Hummus area of Sur Baher neighborhood, southeast of occupied Jerusalem, calling on competent authorities to file a legal case against the Israel decision at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Minister of Local Government Majdi Saleh, described what is happening in al-Hummus area, during a meeting held at the ministry’s headquarters, as a dangerous matter since the buildings slated for demolition are located in areas classified as (A), under the full control of the Palestinian Authority, where building permits are obtained from the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government.
He stressed that the ministry of local government is exerting all efforts to stop the demolition orders and to prevent the recurrence of these notices in all areas adjacent to the Apartheid Wall.
Meanwhile, minister of justice, Mohammad Shalaldeh, said that the demolition orders against al-Hummus area violate the principles and rules of international law, international humanitarian law, and the Hague Convention of 1907, which is binding upon Israel as an occupying power.
For his part, head of the National Committee to Resist the Wall and Settlements, minister Walid Assaf, said that the committee has been following up on al-Hummus case for two years now and that building permits were granted from the ministry of local government in accordance to signed agreements.
He expressed concern that the demolition notices would be distributed to many other areas and target thousands of other buildings if implemented in Wadi al-Hummus area.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of various relevant ministries, Wadi al-Hummus Committee, and lawyers specializing in this field.
To be noted, the Israeli Supreme Court dismissed an appeal filed by Palestinian residents against the demolition of 16 apartment buildings in Wadi al-Hummus area.
The court’s dismissal of the appeal gives residents until the 18th of the next month of July to demolish the buildings comprised of 100 apartments or they would face the large demolition costs and fines charged by the occupation’s municipality.
The demolition orders cited the buildings‘ close proximity to the security barrier as a pretext.
T.R.
