OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) forced two Jerusalemite citizens to demolish their own homes in east Jerusalem under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
According to local sources, Omar Halsa was compelled to demolish his home at his own expense in Jabel al‑Mukaber to avoid heavy fines and demolition fees imposed by the municipality if its crews carried out the operation themselves. A family of six lived in the house.
The Israeli municipality had already warned him that failure to carry out the measure himself would result in demolition fees and a fine of up to 70,000 shekels.
Similarly, Awatif al‑Ghoul was forced to demolish her home in as-Suweih neighborhood of Silwan district, south of the Aqsa Mosque, after being given the choice between self‑demolition or facing exorbitant fees and fines.
Today’s demolition measures have left two Jerusalemite families facing displacement and an uncertain future.
The Israeli municipality continues to coerce Jerusalem residents into demolishing their own homes, while at the same time refusing to grant them building permits.
The rate at which Palestinian homes and structures are demolished in east Jerusalem has almost doubled since the start of the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, human rights groups and monitoring organizations say.
The demolitions are ordered by the Israeli municipality, which claims that many Palestinian homes and structures are illegally built without permission.
All attempts by Palestinian families in east Jerusalem to apply for planning permission are rejected by the municipality. That means growing families say they have no choice but to build without permits and face the consequences, huge fines and demolition orders.
