Jerusalem Jewish Municipality bulldozers demolish 8 housing units in the Palestinian Neighborhoods of Shu’fat and Beit Hanina

The Jewish Municipality of occupied Jerusalem continues its racist policy against Palestinian existence in Jerusalem. In this regard, the Israeli occupation demolished  another 8 housing units in Shu'fat and Beit Hanina in the largest demolition campaign in Jerusalem since July 9th, 2001 when  24 units were demolished in the same area.

The units were demolished on October 30th , 2001, without any previous notifications, although the Municipality claims that notifications were stuck at the targeted premises at an earlier time. The victimized families deny this by saying that the Municipality's officials stick demolition orders for propaganda purposes, that is, they take pictures and immediately remove them. Later on, they claim at courts that notifications had been sent to the targeted places. Human rights organizations have documented similar statements by Palestinians in which they confirmed the undertaking of such actions on part of Municipality demolition squads.

It is worth mentioning that some demolitions have been carried out against houses adjacent to the settlements of Rachis Shu'fat and  Giva'at Zeiv established on the Arab land of  Shu'fat, Beit Hanina and Hizma. The owners of the demolished houses agreed with what has been mentioned by other victims in the area that the mayor and residents of  Rachis Shu'fat settlement are behind the incitement campaign against Arab homes in the area.

Shu'fat is considered the northern gate of Jerusalem which was annexed to the city following the 1967 war. The same policy of annexation was implemented against the villages of Issaiwya, Beit Hanina, Kufr Aqab, Al- Mukaber, Sur Baher, Um Tuba and Beit Safafa as part of Greater Jerusalem Scheme. 

As usual, the Municipality mobilized hundreds of soldiers and policemen, supported by dogs and huge bulldozers and cranes at early hours of the day- 07:00 AM- to execute the demolitions. The following is a documentation of the latest 8 demolition cases:

Case Number 1

The Israeli occupation authorities demolished a two- storey building consisted of two flats inhabited by brothers AbdulSalam Alqam and Bilal Alqam and registered in the name of their mother Mrs. Hawa Alqam. The demolished building was constructed in 1998 as an annex to the already existed building whose age goes back the Jordanian era more than 30 years. 

The house owners said that under the pressure of need they were forced to build, but  the Municipality court decided to settle the case by imposing 45,000 NIS on the families to be paid monthly. So far, 38, 000 NIS have been paid. However, the house owners said that to their surprise, huge army force attacked the targeted flats on the morning of 30.10.2001. In an interview with LRC field worker, the house owners gave the following account: 'The Israeli soldiers stormed the flats without prior warning and began to throw us out side. They were so quick that they didn't allow us to wear clothes. I had only my sleeping suit on me. Municipality porters threw some of our furniture in the street. They refused to give us time to evacuate the furniture. After one and a half hour , the two flats became a pile of ruins and the families were set homeless.'

   The flats of Abdul Salam Alqam and Bilal Alqam in ruins.

Case number 2

A hundred meters away from  Alqam's house, the Municipality of occupied Jerusalem demolished a similar building consisting of two flats inhabited by the family of Mustafa Abdul Rahman Abu – Nii' , 54 years old, and his two elderly parents.

The demolition synchronized with the demolition of Alqam's house. Abu Nii' two storey house was built in 1993 and has been inhabited ever since.  The Municipality issued a demolition order in 1996 and imposed a fine of 50,000 NIS against the owner who has paid 28, 000 NIS from the total. The Municipality court decided to grant a building license in two years time once the owner has paid the whole fine amount. 

Contrary to this arrangement, large numbers of Israeli troops and policemen stormed the house on October 30, 2001 and forcibly evacuated its inhabitants and some of the furniture before they started the demolition process.

The house owner said in an interview with LRC field worker: 'They came at eight o'clock in the morning without prior notice. Three days earlier we saw a jeep belonging to the Israeli Ministry of Interior accompanied by a border guards patrol stopping opposite our house . They didn't talk to us. During the demolition process, we lost gold jewelry at the value of 30,000 NIS and 15,000 NIS in cash. We are certain that the Israeli porters who broke into the house stole the gold and money. We informed the Police who were present there, but gave no attention.' 

   The remains of Abu – Nii's House 

The family members said they are sure that the mayor and residents of Israeli Rachis Shu'fat settlement incited the Municipality to destroy all Palestinian houses in the vicinity.

Case Number 3

At the same time, the Municipality of occupied Jerusalem destroyed two housing units in Beit Hanina in the area of Tel- Alful near Hizma road. The units are owned by Nabil Abu- Hamda, 44 years old, and Musa Is'aid. The two units were built as one building with two floors, but were still uninhabited as they were going under construction. The owners were informed of the demolition by phone from eyewitnesses, as they were not present during that time.

The flats of Nabil Abu- Hamda and Musa Is'aid under demolition

The demolished building is not the only one in the area, but surrounded with many buildings from pre- 1967 Jordanian time.

Case Number 4

The Municipality of occupied Jerusalem demolished two flats in Beit Hanina owned by Izzat Hussein Kisawni, 35 years old, and Nabil Khalil Hadad, 42 years old. The house owners said that they had started a case with the Municipality Planning and Construction Department through lawyer Fawzi Mitwali who fixed a meeting with the structures' inspector, Yaron, on Tuesday 30th, 10, 2001 at 03:00 PM.   On the same day, at 09:00 AM, the house owners were informed that the house was being demolished. They went on to say:

'We arrived at the scene after the demolition of half of the house. The bulldozers continued their work despite our protests. A big amount of construction materials were destroyed during the demolition process at the value of 30, 000 NIS. In addition to this, each one of us has paid 50,000 US Dollars as construction costs'.            

   The flats of Izzat Kisawni and Nabil  Hadad were razed to the ground

Case number 5

The Municipality bulldozers, also, demolished cement house bases belonging to Hussein Abdul   Qader Saif and a cement wall, which is 50 meters long by 2 meters high. These constructions are located in Tel Al- Ful in Beit Hanina.

Prepared by

The Land Research Center
LRC