Palestinians have seen a concerning and an unprecedented increase of houses that were demolished by Israeli forces in Jerusalem this year.
The Palestinian Authority's deputy governor of Jerusalem, Abdullah Siam, said that Israeli courts are considering the demolition of some 18,000 Palestinian homes.
Siam noted that the demolition of the Palestinian homes in Jerusalem is in line with the Israeli regime's collective punishment, ethnic cleansing, and Judaization of the occupied city through forced displacement of Palestinians.
Since the beginning of the current year, Israeli officials have issued nearly 650 demolition orders against Palestinian-owned structures in Jerusalem.
It was in early August, that Silwan resident Wael Tahan finally got the letter he had always feared: His family’s home of nearly 30 years was set to be demolished by Israeli authorities, who said that it had been built illegally.
“We all lived together in this beautiful home of ours,” Tahan told The Times of Israel. “Now everything’s shattered, and everyone’s separated.”
B’Tselem revealed that Israel exerted relentless efforts to hinder the development and construction allotted for Palestinians. Meanwhile, wide-scope constructions are taking place in neighborhoods dedicated to Jews and in settlement blocs.
Ir Amim organization revealed that over 21,000 housing units were advanced in detailed outline plans in Jerusalem in 2019, but less than 8 percent were in Palestinian neighborhoods, even though Palestinians make up 38 percent of the capital’s population.
“We want to build legally. We want to follow the law. Those who build their homes illegally do so against their will because they’re given no other choice,” said Silwan resident Daoud Siyam, a local activist.
Demolishing resumed following a brief truce that prevailed during the first wave of the pandemic.
At the time, this seemed part of a new attitude by Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon. Leon has indicated that he seeks to forge a new relationship with Jerusalem’s Palestinian residents.
Ir Amim researcher Aviv Tatarsky said: “The state has already recognized that this is not an appropriate time to demolish people’s homes. As to why they decided on one policy in March and another now, that is a question for the state.”
The Jerusalem municipality declined to comment on whether there had been a change in policy.
“In the middle of an economic crisis, to lose your house is obviously a double blow,” Tatarsky said.
