JCSER: "ISRAEL IS FORCING PALESTINIANS IN JERUSALEM TO DEMOLISH THEIR OWN HOMES"
by Saed Bannoura

International Middle East Media Center

Thursday August 20, 2009 01:05

The Jerusalem Center for Social and Economical Rights (JSCER) issued
a press release stating that the Israeli authorities in Jerusalem
are forcing Jerusalemite Palestinians to demolish their own homes.

The JCSER said that the Israeli authorities forced 18 Palestinians
families to demolish their homes since last July rendering 136,
mainly women and children, homeless.

The residents are forced to do so because if the Jerusalem municipality
demolishes their homes using its equipment and workers it sends them
the bill. Usually the bill mounts to dozens of thousands of Israeli
Shekels.

In July, 10 Palestinians were forced to demolish their own homes and
70 Palestinians became homeless.

The center added that the areas that are the focus home demolitions
in the Old City, Jabal Al Mukabber, Silwan and At Tour.

It further said that there are dozens of pending demolition orders
in Jerusalem, in addition to hundreds of orders targeting additions
to existing homes.

The Research and Documentation Department at the JCSER said that two
families (16 persons) had to demolish their homes in the Old City of
Jerusalem and Jabal Al Mukabber in May.

In April, the Israeli authorities removed a mobile home inhibited by
a family living in Al Tour; eight family members became homeless.

The mobile home belongs to Ali Hasan Al Ja’ba, he and his family had
to use a mobile home as the Israeli authorities demolished his home
two years ago.

Also in April, the Israeli authorities demolished a commercial
building located in Nablus Street, in Jerusalem. The building belongs
to Mahmoud Al Shweiky, and was licensed by the Jerusalem municipality
more than 20 years ago.

In March, the Israeli authorities forced one resident, identified as
Mahammad Attoun, from Sur Baher, south of the Old City, to demolish
his home. The home in question, 100 square-meters, was inhibited by
8 family members.

The JCSER added that such orders also targeted Jerusalemite
Palestinians living in homes rented from the Greek Orthodox and the
Armenian churches.

Some of the homes are even located inside ministries. Six families
received the demolition orders, the JCSER reported.