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Self-Demolition in Silwan
In Occupied East Jerusalem, Basema Dabash weeps daily for the home she and her husband Raed were forced to demolish in the Sur Baher neighborhood after Israeli authorities issued them a demolition order in 2014.
“On February 12, the family was forced to demolish their home.”
The notice arrived in January, and on February 12 the family was forced to demolish their home, with Basema saying that if they refused they would have to pay the municipality the cost of the demolition, which she said could reach 100,000 shekels ($32,000).
Basema, 51, said they began breaking down walls inside their house and sent photos to the municipality to prove they had started, but they were told that the demolition must be carried out from the outside and as soon as possible.
The family finished demolishing the house that housed eight people, including three children, but Basema said a fine of 45,000 shekels ($14,600) was imposed and would be paid in installments through 2029.
Chronique de Palestine reported that the property targeted by the demolition order was a 45-square-meter extension Basema had added to the main house, of the same size, and that the demolition order targeted both extensions.
Tears, Deadlines, and Fines
In East Jerusalem, a resident in a Silwan neighborhood described being ordered by Israel to demolish his house or pay a fine, saying, "They gave me twenty-one days to demolish my house."
Franceinfo quoted the resident saying, "I destroyed it in tears. My tears were flowing. For several days, I couldn't even eat. I really don't know where we're going."
The Franceinfo report said the resident had pickaxes in hand and that his mother, 97 years old, and his 35-year-old autistic son live in the ground floor that he still has to destroy.
Franceinfo also quoted Fakhri Abu Diab, spokesperson for the residents of the Al Bostan neighborhood in Silwan, saying, "It feels like Gaza; it's a war zone," and adding, "This isn't a matter of permission."
The same Franceinfo piece quoted Arieh King, the deputy mayor, saying, "No one would grant authorization to build illegally in the middle of the Champs-Elysées."
Orders Across East Jerusalem
WAFA reported that on Wednesday Israeli occupation authorities ordered Mohammed Al-Abbasi to self-demolish part of his home in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, in the Al-Ain neighborhood south of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“Mohammed Al-Abbasi said that he was forced to self-demolish a portion of his home”
WAFA said Al-Abbasi tore down approximately 25-square-meter section of his home, which sheltered three of his children, and that the demolition order came after lengthy legal proceedings lasting about 14 years.
WAFA reported that Al-Abbasi said he carried out the demolition himself to avoid heavy fines and financial costs that the municipality would impose if it carried out the demolition.
In a separate case near Hebron, the Middle East Monitor said Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian family’s home in the village of Ad-Deirat, near Yatta east of Hebron, citing the lack of a building permit.
The Middle East Monitor report said Israeli forces deployed around the area as construction equipment carried out the demolition, and that tensions flared between Palestinian residents and Israeli troops at the scene.