Israeli campaign of house demolition, closure and seizure in East Jerusalem during the first seven months of 2004

The Israeli occupation authorities continue to demolish Palestinian houses and premises in Jerusalem city and surrounding area as a constant policy of dismissal and evacuation of the city from its Palestinian citizens. This policy has been going on since the early days of military occupation in 1967 resulting in the destruction of thousands of Palestinian houses and the dismissal of thousands of people. The following report depicts the Israeli demolition actions in the city from January 1st, 2004 until July 31st, 2004. 

According to LRC human rights supervisor and field worker in Jerusalem, a total of 63 housing units were demolished in Jerusalem district during this period with a total area of 7122 square meters. The number of rooms in these destroyed units reached 265. The number of family members affected is 355, amongst of whom there area 205 children. 

On the other hand, one chicken farm and 18 commercial stores were also demolished with a total area of 590 square meters. 31 family members, including 21 children were affected by these demolitions.  Moreover, one 80 M2 house was closed for security pretexts. In this house which was formed of 4 rooms, 5 people, including 3 children used to live.

The Israeli settlers supported and protected by army and police seized 31 housing units in Wadi Hilwa- Silwan at the south eastern edge of the old city and Musrara quarter just outside Damascus gate. One hotel -Hotel Cliff – in Abu Diis was also seized by Israeli army and police. At least the total of 1410 M2 was seized as a result.

To sum up, at least the total area of 9202 square meters were demolished or closed, making about 391people homeless, including 229 children.

House demolition in Jerusalem under the pretext of un- licensing by name of owner, date of demolition, location, area, number of housing units and rooms and number of family members and children during 2004,  

Two housing units belong to the family of filfil destroyed near Qalandya airport under the pretext of un-licensing, Photo courtesy of LRC

The ruins of three housing units owned by Taleb Mohammed Zahikain under the pretext of being close to the ' Golden View ' settlement being constructed at the top Al Mukaber mountain to south of the Old City, Photo courtesy of LRC

Demolition of other structures in Jerusalem under the pretext of un-licensing by name of owner, date of demolition, location, area, number of housing units and rooms and number of family members and children.

 The chicken farm of Mr. Ihab Hassan Abdallah in Beit Hanina after demolition, Photo courtesy of LRC

House closure in Jerusalem under the pretext of security by name of owner, date of demolition, location, area, number of housing units and rooms and number of family members and children 

House seizure in Jerusalem during 2004 

Demolition cases

LRC human rights supervisor and field worker documented the following demolition cases in Jerusalem:

Two houses for two brothers demolished

On January 20th, 2004, dozens of Israeli soldiers, police and municipality personnel broke the door of the house of the family of Mr. Na'im Hamoda Rishiq in Tel al Ful area of Beit Hanina north of the old city of Jerusalem at the time the family was out of the house. Foreign workers started to evacuate some easy to carry material and furniture from the house before it was knocked down by three big digging hammers.

Upon completion, the three hammers moved to the house of his brother Mr. Isma'il Hamoda Rishiq and destroyed it as well.

We want to hold a party

With these words came the answer to the question of the family of Nur Mohammed  Salaiyma who became suspicious over the existence of an Israeli force near his house in Wadi Qadum east of Jerusalem old city. Moments later, the house was wrecked down with all furniture inside. This destructive attack was carried out on January 20th, 2004.

Destroyed for third time

The mother of Mr. Ahamd Yunis Kaswani told LRC field worker that the house of her son has been demolished for three times. The house is 130 M2 and 6 family members used to live in it, including 4 children under the age of 16. The latest attack took place on January 20th, 2004.

Family house closed for security claims

The Israeli occupation forces forcibly evacuated the family of prisoner Adnan Ribhi Sharabati out of her house in Wadi Al Juz and closed it with bricks, cement and metal plates. The closure of this house was taken as a collective punishment measure against the whole family.

The above chart shows that the month of June witnessed the destruction of 29 housing units which represent the highest number of its kind in one month during 2004. There were no demolitions in July.

Seizure cases

The following cases were documented by LRC field worker in Jerusalem:

• On March 30th, 2004, at 01:30 AM, groups of settlers from the extremist colonial groups of Ataret Cohanim and El'ad under protection of Israeli army and police seized a residential building comprised of 11 flats owned by Mrs. Fatima Maragha from Silwan. Another flat owned by Mr. Awad Rajabi was also occupied in the same area. The attacking settlers claimed that they bought the flats from their owners. 10 people from the victimized families were injured in clashes that took place during the invasion. Others were also arrested by the Israeli police. 
   

• On April 29th, 2004, the Israeli border guards police annexed and occupied Hotel Cliff in the village of Abu Diss owned by the Palestinian family of Ayad under the pretext of security matters related to the establishment of the Apartheid Separation Wall. The Hotel was changed into a military garrison and an observation post. The Israeli forces stormed and occupied the whole building of the hotel in clear defiance of the Israeli magistrate's court decision issued on the same day and called for the preservation of the family's right to maintain ownership of the hotel, though it gave the security forces the right to maintain presence at the upper fourth floor and roof of the hotel for security purposes. 
   

• On June 14th 2004, Israeli settlers stormed the house of Mr. Ishaq Musa Al Kurdi in Musrara quarter outside Damascus gate  ( compound No. 15, house No. 6)  after having broken the lockers of the house as its owners was at work at the time of the attack.

Mr. Al Kurdi, 54 years old, told LRC field worker: 'I bought the house from the family of Adili about 30 years ago according to official documents. At the beginning of the seventies, the Israeli guardian of the Absentee Property tried to deceive me by asking me to sign a rent contract as if the house belongs to them. I flatly refused to sign. Ever since, the Israeli authorities and settlers have been molesting me under the pretext that they own one quarter of my house. On June 14th, scores of settlers broke the main door of my house, threw furniture out side and forcibly seized two thirds of my house. The attack on my house was carried out under full army protection'.

The first of three residential towers to comprise 2000 housing units for exclusive Jewish use is under construction in the French Hill of post 1967 occupied east Jerusalem, Photo courtesy of LRC.

Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC