Palestinian family forced to demolish their Jerusalem home

Palestinians inspect on the rubble after heavy duty machines of Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian family’s house allegedly for being unauthorized in Nablus, West Bank on July 30, 2024. [Issam Rimawi – Anadolu Agency]

The Israeli occupation today forced a Palestinian family to demolish their own house in Az-Za’ayyem town, east of Jerusalem, under the pretext that it was built without the necessary licence, the Palestinian Information Centre reported.

The homeowner, Mahdi Al-Mutawar, said that he had to raze parts of his house in order to avoid paying the Israeli municipality exorbitant fees if its demolition crews carried out the measure.

Seven members of the family live in the house.

The homes of hundreds of Palestinians Jerusalemites are threatened with demolition or appropriation as part of Israel’s Judaisation plans in the occupied holy city.

Read: Israel demolished 135 homes, facilities in occupied West Bank in July

Jerusalemites have no choice but to build without licences because Israel either does not issue them or fails to respond to planning applications, not allowing for the natural growth in population.

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