Israel Orders Palestinian Family in Jerusalem to Empty Their Home for Demolition

Israel Orders Palestinian Family in Jerusalem to Empty Their Home for Demolition

A Palestinian father stands with his children in front of the ruins of their home in Silwan, East Jerusalem, after it was demolished by Israeli authorities, November 8, 2019 (Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Activestills.org).

A Palestinian family from the occupied Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan embarked Sunday night on emptying their home after the Israeli municipality informed them that the home will be demolished soon.

Khaled Abu Tayeh, member of the Silwan Land Defense Committee, told WAFA news agency that the Israeli municipality notified the family of Ahmad Hejazi to empty their home ahead of an imminent demolition by the municipality.

He said the family built their home in 2014 without getting a permit due to the unreasonable prerequisites imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on planning and construction for the native Palestinian citizens of the city, unlike the colonial Israeli settlers who enjoy unlimited facilities on construction and tax exemptions.

Palestinians in Jerusalem say they are forced to build without a permit because getting a building permit is impossible as the right-wing mayor and city council attempt to keep the city’s Palestinian population at a bare minimum while multiplying its Jewish residents by approving the construction of thousands of new housing units in Jewish settlements.

Almost 75 percent of applications for a permit by the Palestinian citizens of Jerusalem are rejected by the municipality, according to rights groups.

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