23 june 2019
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Palestinian flags fluttered over the rubble of Mohammad al Dababsh’s home in the South Hebron Hills, this week, as local activists helped the family put up a temporary shelter.
Pots and pans lay scattered amongst bricks, metal and dust – the only remnants left of the two-roomed house which was demolished on Monday. ISM joined activists from the Protection and Sumud committee – a group that protects locals from attacks by settlers – to the village of Khalet al Dabeh where they helped the Dababsh family to erect a tarpaulin tent. The house was the first of four homes to face the bulldozers on June 17, as occupation forces went on a demolition spree across two villages, as reported by ISM. ISM spoke to Jaber Dababsh, the brother of Mohammad, about the impact the demolition has had on his family. |
“They are completely destroyed because they lost everything at once – their electricity, their home, their stuff,’ Jaber Dababsh replied, through a translator.
“The situation is very hard. Now they’ve got this tent and, hopefully, they can move in it soon because all their stuff is outside and, mostly, they are outside.”
The tent was cold and dark, the solar panels that once supplied energy to the house now destroyed and confiscated by soldiers during the demolition.
In stark contrast, the illegal settlement of Havat Maon glared in the distance. ‘The settlers have big homes, running water and electricity,’ a member of the committee told ISM. ‘This family just has a tent.’
During Monday’s demolition, a member of the al Dababsh family broke through the closed military zone around his house in a desperate attempt to save it. He was aggressively pushed back by Israeli border police who threw him to the floor. He was later hospitalized.
Jaber told ISM that workers who had been removing his family’s possessions from the house just before the demolition stopped when his brother ran through the closed military zone. This meant many of their belongings were left in the house when the bulldozer ripped into it, including the children’s school bags and books.
Even the tent is not safe from the occupation forces. Tents put up to shelter families after demolition are also routinely confiscated by the Civil Israeli Administration.
ISM asked what the family would do if the tent was taken.
‘We will stay here,” Jaber replied. “We will put up another one. This is not something that will surprise us, it’s something we expect to happen under this occupation.
“This is their [Israel’s] thinking, to make us get out of the village. It’s been five days since the demolition and they [the al Dababsh family] are still here, living outside.”
Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills are denied access to running water, electricity and permits to build new structures – including schools and medical centres – by the Israeli occupation. As a result most of 30 villages in the area are at risk of demolition.
Despite being deprived of their human right to shelter, the al Dababsh family remained defiant.
“If you demolish, we will build, if you uproot our trees we will plant more.” This is the family’s message to the occupation.
Visit the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
“The situation is very hard. Now they’ve got this tent and, hopefully, they can move in it soon because all their stuff is outside and, mostly, they are outside.”
The tent was cold and dark, the solar panels that once supplied energy to the house now destroyed and confiscated by soldiers during the demolition.
In stark contrast, the illegal settlement of Havat Maon glared in the distance. ‘The settlers have big homes, running water and electricity,’ a member of the committee told ISM. ‘This family just has a tent.’
During Monday’s demolition, a member of the al Dababsh family broke through the closed military zone around his house in a desperate attempt to save it. He was aggressively pushed back by Israeli border police who threw him to the floor. He was later hospitalized.
Jaber told ISM that workers who had been removing his family’s possessions from the house just before the demolition stopped when his brother ran through the closed military zone. This meant many of their belongings were left in the house when the bulldozer ripped into it, including the children’s school bags and books.
Even the tent is not safe from the occupation forces. Tents put up to shelter families after demolition are also routinely confiscated by the Civil Israeli Administration.
ISM asked what the family would do if the tent was taken.
‘We will stay here,” Jaber replied. “We will put up another one. This is not something that will surprise us, it’s something we expect to happen under this occupation.
“This is their [Israel’s] thinking, to make us get out of the village. It’s been five days since the demolition and they [the al Dababsh family] are still here, living outside.”
Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills are denied access to running water, electricity and permits to build new structures – including schools and medical centres – by the Israeli occupation. As a result most of 30 villages in the area are at risk of demolition.
Despite being deprived of their human right to shelter, the al Dababsh family remained defiant.
“If you demolish, we will build, if you uproot our trees we will plant more.” This is the family’s message to the occupation.
Visit the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
Israeli bulldozers demolished an agricultural shed and a room under construction belonging to a Palestinian resident in Qafin village, north of Tulkarem, the occupied West Bank.
Nezar Ajoli, the owner, said that a number of Israeli military jeeps, accompanied by a bulldozer, surrounded his land, located to the west of the village of Qafin, and proceeded to demolish an agricultural shed and a room under construction.
Forces further vandalized a big water tank used for agricultural purposes.
He said Israeli occupation forces informed him, last April, of their intention to demolish the room that was under construction and gave him until May 30th.
The owner added, according to WAFA, that he had prepared the necessary papers to prove his ownership of the land, however, he was surprised by the demolition which was conducted without prior notice.
Nezar Ajoli, the owner, said that a number of Israeli military jeeps, accompanied by a bulldozer, surrounded his land, located to the west of the village of Qafin, and proceeded to demolish an agricultural shed and a room under construction.
Forces further vandalized a big water tank used for agricultural purposes.
He said Israeli occupation forces informed him, last April, of their intention to demolish the room that was under construction and gave him until May 30th.
The owner added, according to WAFA, that he had prepared the necessary papers to prove his ownership of the land, however, he was surprised by the demolition which was conducted without prior notice.
Several illegal Israeli colonialist settlers invaded, earlier Sunday, 300 Dunams of Palestinian farmlands in Khallet an-Nahla area, near Wad Rahhal village, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and started uprooting them.
The colonists brought bulldozers to uproot the Palestinian agricultural lands, privately owned by Mohammad Yahia Ayesh, and are more than 300 Dunams (74.1316 Acres).
They added that the colonists are trying to install a new colonialist outpost on the Palestinian lands, and prepared mobile homes in addition to other equipment.
The colonists also trying to link new outpost with the illegal Efrat and Teqoua’ colonies, which would lead to isolating Bethlehem from its southern rural areas.
The colonists brought bulldozers to uproot the Palestinian agricultural lands, privately owned by Mohammad Yahia Ayesh, and are more than 300 Dunams (74.1316 Acres).
They added that the colonists are trying to install a new colonialist outpost on the Palestinian lands, and prepared mobile homes in addition to other equipment.
The colonists also trying to link new outpost with the illegal Efrat and Teqoua’ colonies, which would lead to isolating Bethlehem from its southern rural areas.
The District Court of Jerusalem has ruled to evict the heirs of the late Mariam Abu Zweir from their property in the neighborhood of Wadi Hilweh in Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center / Silwan said that the judges refused the appeal filed by the heirs of Abu Zweir family against the decision to evict them from their property issued by the Israeli Magistrate Court at the end of 2018. video
The center added that the settlers gave the family from 8-28 July to completely vacate the property, with the possibility of eviction during that period. The property consists of a house in which Mrs. Elham Siam and her four children live, in addition to a land of about half a Dunum, and a warehouse.
Elad settlement association also demands that the family pay “rent” for the property for the past years with a value of NIS 400 thousand, in addition to lawyers’ fees of NIS 80 thousand.
The heirs of Abu Zweir family have been engaged in a struggle in the Israeli courts for 24 years to protect the property and to prove ownership of it and to refute the claims of Elad settlement association. During the past years, Elad association has worked hard to seize the property in several ways.
The first is through collusion between brokers and clients in getting the fingerprints of the late Abu Zweir on a document where she would give three of her sons the right to the property while she was dying. However, in 1999 the Israeli courts rejected Elad’s claims, stating that the property belongs to her eight children, according to the heirs of the late Abu Zweir.
In another attempt to file a case against the family in 2001, Elad claimed that it had purchased three plots in the property (the brothers in the United States, headed by Mahmoud Daoud Khalil), and called for other shares to be classified as the Custodian of Absentee Property.
Nihad Siam, one of the heirs, said that after several hearings in the courts, it was revealed that Elad had purchased the shares of four heirs, in addition to two shares under “Custodian of Absentee Property”. Two shares remain for the late Munira and her sister Fatima. The District Court’s decision means that the property will be divided between the heirs and settlers.
Siam added that his late mother Munira Siam and his brothers faced the Israeli courts and the bias of the settlers and settlement associations and the prosecutions and fines imposed on them, and over the past years they were prevented from carrying out any renovations in the house or their land.
Now, they will lose their home and land completely to the Elad Israeli settlement organization.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center / Silwan said that the judges refused the appeal filed by the heirs of Abu Zweir family against the decision to evict them from their property issued by the Israeli Magistrate Court at the end of 2018. video
The center added that the settlers gave the family from 8-28 July to completely vacate the property, with the possibility of eviction during that period. The property consists of a house in which Mrs. Elham Siam and her four children live, in addition to a land of about half a Dunum, and a warehouse.
Elad settlement association also demands that the family pay “rent” for the property for the past years with a value of NIS 400 thousand, in addition to lawyers’ fees of NIS 80 thousand.
The heirs of Abu Zweir family have been engaged in a struggle in the Israeli courts for 24 years to protect the property and to prove ownership of it and to refute the claims of Elad settlement association. During the past years, Elad association has worked hard to seize the property in several ways.
The first is through collusion between brokers and clients in getting the fingerprints of the late Abu Zweir on a document where she would give three of her sons the right to the property while she was dying. However, in 1999 the Israeli courts rejected Elad’s claims, stating that the property belongs to her eight children, according to the heirs of the late Abu Zweir.
In another attempt to file a case against the family in 2001, Elad claimed that it had purchased three plots in the property (the brothers in the United States, headed by Mahmoud Daoud Khalil), and called for other shares to be classified as the Custodian of Absentee Property.
Nihad Siam, one of the heirs, said that after several hearings in the courts, it was revealed that Elad had purchased the shares of four heirs, in addition to two shares under “Custodian of Absentee Property”. Two shares remain for the late Munira and her sister Fatima. The District Court’s decision means that the property will be divided between the heirs and settlers.
Siam added that his late mother Munira Siam and his brothers faced the Israeli courts and the bias of the settlers and settlement associations and the prosecutions and fines imposed on them, and over the past years they were prevented from carrying out any renovations in the house or their land.
Now, they will lose their home and land completely to the Elad Israeli settlement organization.
22 june 2019
The UN Office for the Coordination of Human Rights (OCHA) said that 43 Palestinian-owned homes or structures were demolished or confiscated in two weeks due to the lack of Israeli-issued building permits.
Such Israeli measures led to the displacement of 54 Palestinians and affected many others, according to a report released by OCHA covering Israeli violations in the occupied Palestinian territories between 4 - 17 June 2019.
32 those structures were in 11 “Area C” communities, including the herding community of Khirbet ar-Ras al Ahmar (Tubas), where 11 structures were demolished on 12 June due to its location within the boundaries of an Israeli-designated closed military zone.
In another closed military zone in the south of al-Khalil (Hebron), Israeli forces demolished four homes in Halaweh and Khallet ed-Dabaa communities. Two water cisterns were also demolished in Tammun village (Tubas) due to their location in a nature reserve, affecting access to water for the village’s estimated 13,600 residents.
In the same incident and on similar grounds, Israeli forces cut down 390 trees. One of the cisterns was for public use and was provided, along with 150 trees, by the Palestinian Authority.
The remaining 11 structures were demolished in east Jerusalem, including six in Kafr Aqab and Bir Una — two communities located within Jerusalem municipal areas on the West Bank side of the separation barrier.
As for settler-related violations, OCHA said in its report that 12 incidents involving Israeli settlers resulted in damage to hundreds of Palestinian-owned olive trees and other property.
In one incident, on June 5, settlers believed to be from the settlement outpost of Adei Ad burnt around 300 dunums of land belonging to Palestinian farmers from Jalud village (Nablus), damaging 900 olive trees.
On the same day, the local community reported that settlers burnt a further 233 olive trees and saplings and dozens of dunums of wheat crops belonging to al-Mughayyir village (Ramallah).
In three separate incidents, settlers also set fire to around four dunums of land planted with wheat and barley crops in Ein Samiya village (Ramallah), and leveled around 15 dunums belonging to Yanun and Madama villages (both in Nablus).
So far since the beginning of the year, around 4,000 Palestinian-owned plants have been damaged by settlers.
The remaining incidents included vandalizing six vehicles and spraying graffiti on the walls of a mosque in Kafr Malik village (Ramallah), and destroying a greenhouse belonging to a farmer from Wadi Fukin (Bethlehem).
In the Israeli-controlled area of al-Khalil Old City, according to eyewitnesses, settlers damaged a new wall of a house, and started construction activities in an abandoned Palestinian-owned shop.
A total of 15 Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli forces across the West Bank, due to tear gas inhalation, rubber bullets and live ammunition.
In Gaza, 238 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces in a Great March of Return protest, which was held on Friday, June 14. 70 of them were hospitalized.
On at least 16 occasions during the period covered by the report, Israeli forces opened warning fire in the areas adjacent to the perimeter fence and off the coast of Gaza. As a result, six Palestinians were injured. Israeli forces also carried out an incursion and land leveling operation near the perimeter fence in the Rafah area.
As for the West Bank, a total of 15 Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli forces across the occupied territory due to tear gas inhalation, rubber bullets and live ammunition.
10 of those Palestinians were injured during clashes that erupted in three search and arrest operations in al-Jalazoun refugee camp (Ramallah), the same city of Ramallah and in Bani Na’im village (al-Khalil).
Three others suffered injuries during the weekly demonstration held in Kafr Qaddum village (Qalqilya) on Friday, June 14, against settlement expansion and settler violence.
Overall, 119 search and arrest operations were carried out by Israeli forces in West Bank villages and towns, of which 29 were in al-Khalil and 24 in Jerusalem.
Such Israeli measures led to the displacement of 54 Palestinians and affected many others, according to a report released by OCHA covering Israeli violations in the occupied Palestinian territories between 4 - 17 June 2019.
32 those structures were in 11 “Area C” communities, including the herding community of Khirbet ar-Ras al Ahmar (Tubas), where 11 structures were demolished on 12 June due to its location within the boundaries of an Israeli-designated closed military zone.
In another closed military zone in the south of al-Khalil (Hebron), Israeli forces demolished four homes in Halaweh and Khallet ed-Dabaa communities. Two water cisterns were also demolished in Tammun village (Tubas) due to their location in a nature reserve, affecting access to water for the village’s estimated 13,600 residents.
In the same incident and on similar grounds, Israeli forces cut down 390 trees. One of the cisterns was for public use and was provided, along with 150 trees, by the Palestinian Authority.
The remaining 11 structures were demolished in east Jerusalem, including six in Kafr Aqab and Bir Una — two communities located within Jerusalem municipal areas on the West Bank side of the separation barrier.
As for settler-related violations, OCHA said in its report that 12 incidents involving Israeli settlers resulted in damage to hundreds of Palestinian-owned olive trees and other property.
In one incident, on June 5, settlers believed to be from the settlement outpost of Adei Ad burnt around 300 dunums of land belonging to Palestinian farmers from Jalud village (Nablus), damaging 900 olive trees.
On the same day, the local community reported that settlers burnt a further 233 olive trees and saplings and dozens of dunums of wheat crops belonging to al-Mughayyir village (Ramallah).
In three separate incidents, settlers also set fire to around four dunums of land planted with wheat and barley crops in Ein Samiya village (Ramallah), and leveled around 15 dunums belonging to Yanun and Madama villages (both in Nablus).
So far since the beginning of the year, around 4,000 Palestinian-owned plants have been damaged by settlers.
The remaining incidents included vandalizing six vehicles and spraying graffiti on the walls of a mosque in Kafr Malik village (Ramallah), and destroying a greenhouse belonging to a farmer from Wadi Fukin (Bethlehem).
In the Israeli-controlled area of al-Khalil Old City, according to eyewitnesses, settlers damaged a new wall of a house, and started construction activities in an abandoned Palestinian-owned shop.
A total of 15 Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli forces across the West Bank, due to tear gas inhalation, rubber bullets and live ammunition.
In Gaza, 238 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces in a Great March of Return protest, which was held on Friday, June 14. 70 of them were hospitalized.
On at least 16 occasions during the period covered by the report, Israeli forces opened warning fire in the areas adjacent to the perimeter fence and off the coast of Gaza. As a result, six Palestinians were injured. Israeli forces also carried out an incursion and land leveling operation near the perimeter fence in the Rafah area.
As for the West Bank, a total of 15 Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli forces across the occupied territory due to tear gas inhalation, rubber bullets and live ammunition.
10 of those Palestinians were injured during clashes that erupted in three search and arrest operations in al-Jalazoun refugee camp (Ramallah), the same city of Ramallah and in Bani Na’im village (al-Khalil).
Three others suffered injuries during the weekly demonstration held in Kafr Qaddum village (Qalqilya) on Friday, June 14, against settlement expansion and settler violence.
Overall, 119 search and arrest operations were carried out by Israeli forces in West Bank villages and towns, of which 29 were in al-Khalil and 24 in Jerusalem.
The National Bureau for Defending Land (NBDL) has warned that Occupied Jerusalem is facing escalating Judaization plans being carried out by the Israeli government, the municipality of Moshe Lion, and Jewish settler groups with the complicity of the Israeli judiciary.
In a report released on Saturday, the Bureau said that such plans are aimed at curtailing the Palestinian presence in the holy city. video
The Bureau accused the Israeli occupation authority of “waging an all-out war on the Jerusalemites, particularly through launching widespread mass evictions and forced displacement as is the case nowadays with the area of Wad al-Hims in Sur Baher.”
It refuted Israel’s security claims it cited for the intended demolition of 16 apartment buildings consisting of 100 housing units in Sur Baher, affirming that the real goal is to build a road for Jewish settlers connecting the settlement of Har Homa in Jabal Abu Ghneim with Ma’ale Adumim.
In a report released on Saturday, the Bureau said that such plans are aimed at curtailing the Palestinian presence in the holy city. video
The Bureau accused the Israeli occupation authority of “waging an all-out war on the Jerusalemites, particularly through launching widespread mass evictions and forced displacement as is the case nowadays with the area of Wad al-Hims in Sur Baher.”
It refuted Israel’s security claims it cited for the intended demolition of 16 apartment buildings consisting of 100 housing units in Sur Baher, affirming that the real goal is to build a road for Jewish settlers connecting the settlement of Har Homa in Jabal Abu Ghneim with Ma’ale Adumim.
21 june 2019
Israeli bulldozers from the illegal settlement of Ariel in northern Salfit on Friday morning destroyed once again Palestinian agricultural plots of land near Wad Abdul-Rahman area.
Local farmer Khaled Abu Affana that the bulldozing activities destroyed dozens of dunums of Palestinian agricultural land behind the separation wall.
A Palestinian municipal source in Salfit said that the bulldozers were preparing the area for the building of housing units, roads and infrastructure for Ariel settlement.
Local farmer Khaled Abu Affana that the bulldozing activities destroyed dozens of dunums of Palestinian agricultural land behind the separation wall.
A Palestinian municipal source in Salfit said that the bulldozers were preparing the area for the building of housing units, roads and infrastructure for Ariel settlement.
Jerusalem Governor at the Palestinian Authority Adnan Gheith issued a statement strongly denouncing the serious Israeli escalation against the Palestinian homes and property, in Wadi al-Hummus neighborhood in Sur Baher village, south of occupied East Jerusalem, and described them as war crimes.
Gheith said the ongoing and escalation Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes and property, and the recent decision to demolish sixteen buildings of 100 apartments, for “their proximity to the illegal Annexation Wall,” as acts that constitute war crimes, in addition to violating all related international agreements and resolutions.
His statements came during a meeting with the representative the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Palestine, Ahmad Roweidi, in addition to many residents from Sur Baher.
He added that the Palestinian struggle in Jerusalem is a struggle for existence, and added that the Palestinians are facing very serious Israeli violations and assaults, targeting them, their homes and property, and their lands.
“The extremist right-wing Israeli government is targeting the existence of our people in occupied Jerusalem, and the rest of Palestine,” Gheith said, “These violations are meant for displacing the Palestinians, and remove them out of the occupied city.
Hamada Hamada, the head of Wad al-Humus Defense Committee, stated that Israel also issued orders 20 buildings in the last three months, and added that most of the threatened structures are apartment buildings, located in Area A of the West Bank, under the allegation of being built without permits from Israel.
Area A of the West Bank is under Palestinian civil and security control, and the buildings were all licensed by the Palestinian Authority.
Wadi al-Hummus is considered an extension of Sur Baher town, south of Jerusalem, and is located on 3000 Dunams of Palestinian lands.
The Israeli authorities have been denying the Palestinians the right to build in nearly half of Wadi al-Hummus, for “its proximity to the Annexation Wall,” which separates it from villages in Bethlehem governorate.
Gheith said the ongoing and escalation Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes and property, and the recent decision to demolish sixteen buildings of 100 apartments, for “their proximity to the illegal Annexation Wall,” as acts that constitute war crimes, in addition to violating all related international agreements and resolutions.
His statements came during a meeting with the representative the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Palestine, Ahmad Roweidi, in addition to many residents from Sur Baher.
He added that the Palestinian struggle in Jerusalem is a struggle for existence, and added that the Palestinians are facing very serious Israeli violations and assaults, targeting them, their homes and property, and their lands.
“The extremist right-wing Israeli government is targeting the existence of our people in occupied Jerusalem, and the rest of Palestine,” Gheith said, “These violations are meant for displacing the Palestinians, and remove them out of the occupied city.
Hamada Hamada, the head of Wad al-Humus Defense Committee, stated that Israel also issued orders 20 buildings in the last three months, and added that most of the threatened structures are apartment buildings, located in Area A of the West Bank, under the allegation of being built without permits from Israel.
Area A of the West Bank is under Palestinian civil and security control, and the buildings were all licensed by the Palestinian Authority.
Wadi al-Hummus is considered an extension of Sur Baher town, south of Jerusalem, and is located on 3000 Dunams of Palestinian lands.
The Israeli authorities have been denying the Palestinians the right to build in nearly half of Wadi al-Hummus, for “its proximity to the Annexation Wall,” which separates it from villages in Bethlehem governorate.
The Israeli High Court has granted its approval for the demolition of 16 apartment buildings of 100 flats in Wadi al-Hummus neighborhood in Sur Baher village, south of occupied East Jerusalem, for “being built close to the Annexation Wall.”
The court upheld allegations by the military in which it claimed that the buildings are close to the Annexation Wall, and “pose a security threat,” due to their proximity to the illegal wall.
The Palestinians were ordered to demolish the apartments by July 18th, or face very high fines and fees, in addition to the demolition costs, should the Jerusalem City Council demolish their buildings.
Khalil Tafakji, the head of the Maps Department of the Arab Studies Society in occupied Jerusalem, said Wadi al-Hummus is in Area A of the West Bank, supposedly under the full control of the Palestinian Authority as per the Oslo Accords.
Tafakji added that when Israel started the construction of the illegal Annexation Wall in 2003, Sur Baher residents filed appeals against the planned route of the wall, as it passes right through the center of the village.
Israel then adjusted the route, keeping the entire neighborhood inside the boundaries of the wall, instead of being isolated from Jerusalem, or split in half.
He also stated that, since the neighborhood was considered to be in Area A, the Palestinians obtained construction permits from the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government.
In addition, Tafakji said that the Israeli High Court based its decision on an order, issued seven years ago by the military commander in the area, preventing the Palestinians from constructing in any area that is less than 250 meters from the Annexation Wall.
“What is happening in Sur Baher is similar to what Israel is trying to implement in the Shayyah area, in the al-Ezariyya town, and all other Palestinian communities around occupied Jerusalem,” Tafakji stated, “All these resolutions are demographic in nature, only aim at removing the Palestinians from Jerusalem.”
There are around 6000 Palestinians living in Wadi al-Hummus neighborhood, who now all face displacement, especially after the court only granted them one month to demolish their buildings.
On his part, Attorney Haitham Khatib, the head of the Legal Department of The Catholic Center for Human Rights, Sr. Yves, said the Israeli court completely adopted the allegation of the Israeli military in its ruling, which violates the basic rights of the Palestinian people.
Khatib added that this ruling is very serious, as it could also be implemented in all Palestinian areas, where the Wall was built near them, across the West Bank, and not only in Jerusalem.
He also said that, in 2011, the Military Commander in the occupied West Bank, issued an order denying the Palestinians the right to build in any area within 250 meters from the Wall, and added that, although the decision remained active, it was never implemented.
However, in the year 2018, the Israeli army decided to implement the ruling, and started by handing demolition orders targeting 16 apartment buildings in Wadi al-Hummus neighborhood.
“This is a very serious violation of the Palestinians rights; this ruling is a green light for the demolition of hundreds of homes in all Palestinian communities and neighborhoods where Israel built Annexation Wall close to them,” Khatib said.
On his part, the Palestinian Minister for Jerusalem Affairs Fadi al-Hadmi, said that the Ministry’s Legal Department is following this issue, in cooperation with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, especially since these orders are serious violations not only of basic Palestinian rights, but also of International Law, International Humanitarian Law and the Fourth Geneva Conventions.
“The International Community must end is silence and uphold its responsibilities in protecting the Palestinian people from the Israeli apartheid policies,” al-Hadmi stated, “We will continue to defend our people, our existence in Jerusalem, and we will counter these racist policies and rulings.”
A report by the “Colonization & Wall Resistance Commission” has revealed that, last year, Israel demolished 471 Palestinian buildings, and issued orders for the destruction of an additional 546 structures, including 50 schools.
The report said that, although the demotions were mainly carried out in and around occupied East Jerusalem, they also included many areas in other parts of the West Bank.
The court upheld allegations by the military in which it claimed that the buildings are close to the Annexation Wall, and “pose a security threat,” due to their proximity to the illegal wall.
The Palestinians were ordered to demolish the apartments by July 18th, or face very high fines and fees, in addition to the demolition costs, should the Jerusalem City Council demolish their buildings.
Khalil Tafakji, the head of the Maps Department of the Arab Studies Society in occupied Jerusalem, said Wadi al-Hummus is in Area A of the West Bank, supposedly under the full control of the Palestinian Authority as per the Oslo Accords.
Tafakji added that when Israel started the construction of the illegal Annexation Wall in 2003, Sur Baher residents filed appeals against the planned route of the wall, as it passes right through the center of the village.
Israel then adjusted the route, keeping the entire neighborhood inside the boundaries of the wall, instead of being isolated from Jerusalem, or split in half.
He also stated that, since the neighborhood was considered to be in Area A, the Palestinians obtained construction permits from the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government.
In addition, Tafakji said that the Israeli High Court based its decision on an order, issued seven years ago by the military commander in the area, preventing the Palestinians from constructing in any area that is less than 250 meters from the Annexation Wall.
“What is happening in Sur Baher is similar to what Israel is trying to implement in the Shayyah area, in the al-Ezariyya town, and all other Palestinian communities around occupied Jerusalem,” Tafakji stated, “All these resolutions are demographic in nature, only aim at removing the Palestinians from Jerusalem.”
There are around 6000 Palestinians living in Wadi al-Hummus neighborhood, who now all face displacement, especially after the court only granted them one month to demolish their buildings.
On his part, Attorney Haitham Khatib, the head of the Legal Department of The Catholic Center for Human Rights, Sr. Yves, said the Israeli court completely adopted the allegation of the Israeli military in its ruling, which violates the basic rights of the Palestinian people.
Khatib added that this ruling is very serious, as it could also be implemented in all Palestinian areas, where the Wall was built near them, across the West Bank, and not only in Jerusalem.
He also said that, in 2011, the Military Commander in the occupied West Bank, issued an order denying the Palestinians the right to build in any area within 250 meters from the Wall, and added that, although the decision remained active, it was never implemented.
However, in the year 2018, the Israeli army decided to implement the ruling, and started by handing demolition orders targeting 16 apartment buildings in Wadi al-Hummus neighborhood.
“This is a very serious violation of the Palestinians rights; this ruling is a green light for the demolition of hundreds of homes in all Palestinian communities and neighborhoods where Israel built Annexation Wall close to them,” Khatib said.
On his part, the Palestinian Minister for Jerusalem Affairs Fadi al-Hadmi, said that the Ministry’s Legal Department is following this issue, in cooperation with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, especially since these orders are serious violations not only of basic Palestinian rights, but also of International Law, International Humanitarian Law and the Fourth Geneva Conventions.
“The International Community must end is silence and uphold its responsibilities in protecting the Palestinian people from the Israeli apartheid policies,” al-Hadmi stated, “We will continue to defend our people, our existence in Jerusalem, and we will counter these racist policies and rulings.”
A report by the “Colonization & Wall Resistance Commission” has revealed that, last year, Israel demolished 471 Palestinian buildings, and issued orders for the destruction of an additional 546 structures, including 50 schools.
The report said that, although the demotions were mainly carried out in and around occupied East Jerusalem, they also included many areas in other parts of the West Bank.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) on Thursday gave dozens of Palestinian residents in Wadi al-Hummus area of Sur Baher neighborhood, east of Jerusalem, until July 18 to demolish their homes on their own.
Recently, the Israeli high court of justice approved demolition orders for 16 buildings that contain a total of some 100 apartments under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority in Sur Baher.
In this regard, a local committee defending the homes threatened with demolition has called for massive participation in the Friday prayer in Sur Baher, where Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, head of the Higher Islamic Committee, will deliver a khutba (sermon).
A news conference and rally will also take place following the Friday prayer and khutba.
Recently, the Israeli high court of justice approved demolition orders for 16 buildings that contain a total of some 100 apartments under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority in Sur Baher.
In this regard, a local committee defending the homes threatened with demolition has called for massive participation in the Friday prayer in Sur Baher, where Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, head of the Higher Islamic Committee, will deliver a khutba (sermon).
A news conference and rally will also take place following the Friday prayer and khutba.
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