Palestinians appeal against Israeli orders to demolish 3 houses in Lod

Arab citizens in Israel filed an appeal to the Israeli Central Court against a decision not to freeze the demolition orders of three houses in Lod’s Al-Mahattah neighbourhood, Arab48.com reported yesterday.

Lod Municipality and Planning and Construction Committee sent the demolition orders to the three houses after small extensions were built and renovation works completed to make space for the growing families.

The home owners said that they had applied for licenses before carrying out the renovations and extensions but they received no positive responses. They had sent the necessary drawings and fees to the municipality before carrying out the works.

Israeli bulldozers have demolished scores of houses owned by Arabs in Lod and Ramlah over claims that they do not have building licences, making many families homeless.

Member of the Popular Committee in Lod Abdul-Karim Zabarkeh said: “The issue is related to four extensions. We filed appeals against the demolition orders and the Magistrate Court’s decision to the Central Court, which froze the orders for a very short time.”

He recognised that the renovations and extensions were made without permits but reiterated that the situation in Lod is “very complicated”, noting that he cannot ask Arabs to stop their work before solving their problems.

Zabarkeh said that the Arabs face a housing crisis as they are not allowed to build new homes, add extensions or renovate existing properties except under very complicated conditions and after delays by the Israeli authorities.

Jewish Israelis do not sell their properties to Arabs, he added.