’Israel’ Demolishes 15 Palestinian Homes NE al-Quds

Local Editor

"Israeli" forces Monday demolished 15 homes in the village of Jaba, northeast of al-Quds [Jerusalem], citing unpermitted construction as a pretext, said a press statement issued by the committee against wall and settlements.

The statement noted that "Israeli" forces demolished 15 homes belonging to al-Ara'ara Bedouins near the village, under the pretext of being constructed in Area C, which is under full "Israeli" military occupation. It stated that some of these homes have been built since 1975-1976.

An OCHA weekly report covering the period between 18 and 24 of August 2015 stated, "Israeli" forces demolished 42 Palestinian-owned houses during the third week of August, all of which were located in Area C, under full "Israeli" military occupation, citing the pretext of unpermitted construction.

It said the demolition of the 42 structures, which OCHA described as the highest number of demolitions conducted in one week since the past six months, left around 54 Palestinians displaced, including 33 children.

It said in 2015 alone, the Zionist entity had demolished a total of 417 houses in the besieged West Bank, including al-Quds [Jerusalem], displacing at least 495, including 277 children.

According to media outlets, "The "Israeli" authorities in the West Bank have ruled that legal proceedings must be seen through before a Bedouin community east of Jerusalem can be evicted from prefab housing deemed illegal."

In a meeting of the settlement subcommittee at the Knesset, MK Orit Strock suggested the so-called "Civil Administration" "show creativity" regarding procedures for demolishing Bedouin homes that would limit the possibility of petitioning the High Court.

Issuance of construction permits for Palestinians living in Area C, under full Zionist administrative and military occupation, is strictly limited, forcing Palestinians residing in such areas to embark on construction without obtaining a permit.

According to OCHA, "It adds, "In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, displacement is primarily driven by a number of occupation-related policies, including those linked to settlement activity. In Area C and East Jerusalem, each year hundreds of Palestinian homes and other structures are demolished due to the lack of "Israeli"-issued building permits."

The statement added, "The restrictive planning system makes it almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain permits, while providing preferential treatment for "Israeli" settlements."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team