Israeli court orders demolition of 11 houses and a mosque in East Jerusalem

An Israeli court on Monday ordered the demolition of 11 houses and a mosque in Jabal El-Baba compound in East Jerusalem, according to Quds Press Service.

The houses reportedly belong to the Muzarha and Jahalin families and are home to 50 people.

In an interview with Quds Press, a member of the Muzarha family said he felt that the court decision constitutes a “serious legal precedent”, adding that the decision did not take into account the absence of shelter for the residents that will be displaced.

Such demolition orders are in favour of Israeli settlement expansion in the area, according to him.

He called on local and international human rights institutions to support the Bedouin community who face systematic forced displacement from their lands as part of the Israeli E1 settlement project.