NAZARETH, Sunday, September 22, 2019 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities demolished today a house under construction in the Arab city of Qalansawe in Israel, under the pretext that it was being built without a permit, according to local witnesses.

Israeli police forces accompanied by bulldozers raided al-Sahl al-Gharbi neighborhood in the city and closed off all roads leading the targeted house, which belongs to the Palestinian family of Abu Arar, before embarking on with the demolition.

Israeli authorities previously demolished two houses belonging to the same family in the same area four years ago.

Houses and structures Arab cities and towns in Israel are a frequent target for demolitions as Israeli authorities make it very difficult for Arab citizens to obtain building permits.

In January, the so-called Israel’s Planning and Construction Committee ruled that 17 homes in Qalansawe were built illegally, but citizens of the town, including the mayor, said that if the demolitions are carried out, they could have drastic consequences.

Currently, thousands of Palestinian-owned homes in Israel are scheduled for demolition, with many accusing the government of selectively carrying out demolitions in Israel’s Arab communities.

K.T/M.N