Gaza: The Israeli occupation authorities on Wednesday ordered a Palestinian to self-demolish part of his home in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, according to the homeowner. Mohammed Al-Abbasi stated that he was compelled to dismantle a portion of his home in the Al-Ain neighborhood of Silwan, near Al-Aqsa Mosque, due to claims of unlicensed building.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Al-Abbasi demolished approximately a 25-square-meter section of his residence, which housed three of his children. This action displaced them from their living area within the family home. The demolition order followed lengthy legal proceedings spanning about 14 years, culminating in a final decision mandating the demolition for unlicensed construction.
Al-Abbasi explained that during these years, he navigated through courts and the Israeli municipality's offices in attempts to prevent the demolition or achieve a legal resolution. Despite his efforts, all attempts proved futile, leaving him with no option but to conduct the demolition himself to avoid substantial fines and financial costs that the municipality would impose if it executed the demolition.
The demolition aligns with a pattern where Israel, citing illegal building, routinely demolishes houses to limit Palestinian expansion in occupied Jerusalem. Concurrently, the occupation municipality and government construct numerous housing units in illegal colonies in East Jerusalem for Jewish settlers, aiming to influence the demographic balance in favor of Jewish residents in the occupied city.
Although Palestinians in East Jerusalem reside in internationally recognized Palestinian Territory, subject to Israeli military occupation since 1967, they are denied citizenship rights and classified merely as "residents." Their permits risk revocation if they relocate from the city for extended periods. Moreover, they face discrimination in housing, employment, and services and are unable to access services in the West Bank due to Israel's separation wall.
A report by the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem indicates that the Israeli occupation High Court could be held accountable for war crimes due to policies leading to the dispossession of Palestinians in Area C of the West Bank. The report, titled "Fake Justice," argues that the court's endorsement of Israeli planning policy equates to support for the dispossession and forcible transfer of Palestinians, actions deemed war crimes under international law.