Jerusalem: Israeli occupation forces on Thursday delivered demolition notices for two houses owned by Jerusalemite brothers in the Wadi Qaddum neighborhood of the East Jerusalem town of Silwan, according to local sources.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Israeli forces, accompanied by personnel from the Jerusalem municipality, delivered notices ordering the forced demolition of two homes owned by brothers in Wadi Qaddum. The notices were issued under the pretext of building without a permit, a permit that is rarely granted to Palestinians in the occupied city. This action is part of a broader policy aimed at restricting Palestinian expansion and growth in occupied Jerusalem.
Palestinians in East Jerusalem often find themselves in a difficult position, compelled to tear down their homes after receiving demolition orders to avoid paying exorbitant costs to the Israeli municipality if it carries out the demolition. The practice highlights the hurdles Palestinians face in obtaining building permits, a situation they attribute to discriminatory practices by the Israeli municipality. These practices either deny permits outright or impose conditions that are virtually impossible to meet.
Meanwhile, the construction landscape in the city presents a stark contrast. Thousands of housing units are built for Jewish settlers on lands appropriated from Palestinians, and these new homes are made easily accessible to settlers. This disparity underscores the ongoing tensions and challenges in the region regarding housing and land rights.
