The dozers of Israel’s municipality on August 19, 2015 demolished a three story building (540m2) in the area of Wad Al-Juz under the claim of “unlicensed construction”. The building belongs to the families of Aref Al-Tutanji and Hani Towtah.
It should be marked that a massive force from Israeli Police accompanied by a staff from the municipality and two Hyundai dozers closed the area and embarked on demolishing the building.
Citizen Aref Al-Tutanji told a researcher from Land Research Center the following:
“This three story building (6 apartments) was built 9 month ago (December 2014); it was built over an old residence from the Jordanian era before the Israeli occupation on Jerusalem in 1967. Each floor totals 180m2 in area and is split into two apartments. More than 70 members of the two families, most of whom are kids were supposed live in the building. At time of construction, the occupation’s municipality served us a demolition order. Thus, we approached the municipality’s court that imposed a fine of 500,000 NIS on us. We tried so hard to obtain a building permit but the process was complicated and so expensive. Today, police and dozers came to the place and embarked on demolishing the building”
He also added:
“By demolishing houses, the Israeli occupation intends to displace Palestinians from Jerusalem to take over the city for colonial interests”
Land Research Center LRC sees that demolitions contradict with all of the International conventions and Humanitarian laws including:
- Article 17 of the (1948) Universal Declaration of Human Rights stating: “Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.”
- Section ‹G› of article 23 of the (1907) The Hague Conventions asserting: “In addition to the prohibitions provided by special Conventions, it is especially forbidden to destroy or seize the enemy's property, unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war.”
- Article 53 of the Geneva Fourth Convention (1948) declaring: “Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.”
- Section 1, Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966): “The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. The States Parties will take appropriate steps to ensure the realization of this right, recognizing to this effect the essential importance of international co-operation based on free consent."
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
