Occupation Forces Jerusalem Citizens to Demolish Their Homes

SadaNews - Today, Saturday, Israeli occupation authorities forced two Jerusalem citizens to demolish their homes themselves, under the pretext of building without a license.

The Jerusalem Governorate reported that citizen Sami Al-Heshlamon Al-Ayubi was compelled to demolish his home in the Al-Suwaneh neighborhood of Jerusalem, by order of the occupation municipality, citing illegal construction as the reason. It was noted that the house, which spans approximately 70 square meters, was built in 2016.

Al-Ayubi explained that the occupation municipality imposed exorbitant fees for obtaining a permit, which he was unable to pay, as well as a monthly fine of 700 shekels for three years before a final demolition order was issued against him, forcing him to carry out the demolition himself to avoid the high costs of demolition and to protect his grandfather's house, which has stood below the construction since 1936.

The governorate added that the occupation also forced Jerusalem resident Wael Hashim Jalajal to demolish his house by himself in the Al-Bustan neighborhood in the town of Silwan, south of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.

It indicated that the area of the house is 140 square meters and consists of two apartments housing a family of 8 members.

It was pointed out that Jalajal was forced to demolish his house to avoid incurring hefty financial penalties in case the occupation municipality's machinery carried out the demolition.

The Jerusalem Governorate stated that forcing Jerusalem citizens to self-demolish their homes is part of an ongoing policy targeting the Palestinian presence in the city and imposing stringent restrictions on construction.