It is reported that dozers of the Israeli occupation army demolished on November 07, 2016 a carwash in the area of Nabi Samuel, northwest Jerusalem city on the claim of "unlicensed construction". Noteworthy, the structure is owned by citizen Laith Barakat.
Barakat told Land Research Center the following:
" In 2015, the occupation dozers demolished the carwash but I reconstructed it again on an area of 150m2; it was roofed with a 30m2 shed. Three employees work and benefit from the carwash, which is few meters away from a mosque that was transformed into a Jewish synagogue.
Few months after I finished the construction, I received a demolition order from Israel Civil Administration. Therefore, I sought Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid in Ramallah to object to the demolition order. And nothing happened after that incident"
He added:
" On November 07, 2016 a massive force from Israel Police accompanied by a dozer arrived at the location, encircled the structure before bringing it down. I tried to reach out for the carwash to save some of the interior and equipments but I was banned by the force's soldiers. The force confiscated a number of vacuums we used for cleaning cars and cabinet of detergents also used for the job"
It should be marked that the village of Nabi Samuel is inhabited by 270 people , most of whom were forced to leave the area due to the occupation constant harassments. Noteworthy, the occupation government doesn’t recognize the village and still considers it as a natural reserve.
Land Research Center LRC sees that demolitions contradict with all 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.
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
