A report on house demolition in Jerusalem district

The Israeli occupation authorities performed the following demolition operations in Jerusalem during the period from Jan. 1st, 2001 until May 31st, 2001:

• 24 demolitions under the pretext of unlicensing:

• Total demolition of 10 homes.

• Total demolition of 9 residential barracks.

• Total demolition of one animal farm.

• Total demolition of 5 stone and cement walls.

The demolitions were carried out in the following quarters in Jerusalem district:  Isawiya;   Al- Tur ( Mount of Olives);   Al- Ezariya (Bethany);   Al- Salam quarter;  Beit Hanina;   Silwan;  Al- Za'im.

Demolition Orders issued by Jerusalem municipality 

Annually, the Jerusalem municipality issues about 200 orders of demolition against Palestinian homes. For example, on March 25, 2001, the municipality issued a list of 56 orders, 21 of them were demolition orders and 35 to halt construction work. This list came as a confirmation of the Israeli policy of apartheid being practiced against any thing Palestinian in the city.

For more information, please contact Mr. Ya'qub Odeh, Human Rights and Housing observer, Land Research Center- Jerusalem, Tel: 02-6264089, Fax: 02-6288448.

Jerusalem , House demolition From 1.1.2001-31.5.2001  

Jerusalem, Barack demolition, From 1.1.2001-31.5.2001

Jerusalem, Wall- farm demolition, From 1.1.2001-31.5.2001  

Additional violations 

2-2: Israeli bulldozers demolished a three- storey house and a wall in Al- Ram town between Jerusalem and Ramallah. The house is owned by Mr. Salah Al- Rishiq. The demolition was carried out under the pretext of unlicensing, while Palestinian believe it was done as a vengeance for the killing of an Israeli colonist in the area.

2-2 : The local affairs court in Jerusalem issued a resolution postponing the demolished  of a building comprised of 12 apartments and owned by Mr. Badawi Al- Qawasmeh. The building is located between Beit Hanina nad Al _Ram. Earlier, the Israeli high court decided to demolish the building before 31.1.2001.

3-2: The Jerusalem  Municipality court imposed a 300 000 NIS fine on Mr. Saleh Al- Salaimeh who lives in Jerusalem for building without a license.

27-2: Israeli Land Authorities (Keren Ki'met) started to level land cultivated with serials at the eastern slopes of Jabal Al- Mukaber in Jerusalem owned by the families of Mish'al and Shqirat. The area of the land is 10 dunums. Forest trees have been planted by the Israeli authorities to confirm their confiscation of  the land prior to the construction of 200 housing units for the exclusive Israeli use in this area.  It is worth to mention that in 1972, the Israeli authorities had confiscated more than 2000 dunums from Jabal Al- Mukaber land to build the current settlement of Armon. 

3-4: Israeli bulldozers demolished a building under construction owned by Sheik Mohammed Sa'id Al- Jamal in Al- Ezariya ( Bethany). The building which comprised a mosque, school, playground, pool and well was 750 m2. The construction costs are estimated at 250 000 US $.

Israeli bulldozers demolished a 20 m2 retaining wall for Al- Zaru family in Al- Ezariya. Another 50 m2 retaining wall was destroyed in Beit Hanina.

4-4: Israeli authorities destroyed a house under construction owned by Mr. Ibrahim Qirish. This destruction was the second of its kind in a year. The homes and barracks of  Mr. Khalid Radadeh, Salah Ghawi and Ghaleb Razim were also demolished. They are all located in Al- Ezariya and Al- Za'im.

5-4: Israeli bulldozers demolished the house of Mr. Salim Shawamreh in Anata for the third time. Three barracks owned by Mr. Mohammed Kurshan, Abed Kurshan and Daud Kurshan were demolished in the same area under the pretext of un-licensing. Water and telephone lines were damaged during the demolition process.

Israeli occupation authorities devastated dozens of dunums of agricultural land in Anata and Isawiya owned by Mr. Khader Saleh, Maher Muheisen, Mahmud Hamdan, Hani Isawi and Mohammed Dirbas. Water pipes were also damaged.

6-4: The Israeli government published a tender to build 496 housing units in Ma'aleh Adumim settlement.

7-4: The Israeli government intends to destroy three houses owned by Mr. Rafiq Kharuf in Sheik Jarrah. The houses will be destroyed to make room for the construction of the tunnel road which is 25 meters wide.

17-4 : The Jerusalem municipality bulldozers are currently destroying tombs in St. Mary's cemetery  near Getsemany garden to make space for the building of a road there. The cemetery is owned by the orthodox community.

22-4: Israeli army occupied a 5 storey building in Kufr Aqab north of Jerusalem. The building which is owned by Mr. Ibrahim Qasas, was changed to a military garrison and observation point.

24-4: Israeli antiquities authorities and Jerusalem municipality continue to dig and built underground installations from Jafa gate passing through the Morocan gate down to Silwan village. On the other hand, digging works are under way in the southern and western sides of Al- Aqsa Mosque.

Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC