Israeli court gives green light for demolition of Palestinian homes

By News Desk - The cradle 

The decision, issued by the Israeli high court, will leave more than 720 Palestinians homeless

The Israeli high court on 29 November rejected an appeal filed by a group of Palestinians to stop the planned demolition of their homes by the occupation authorities.

The court’s decision gives a green light to the occupation to demolition the houses located in the Wadi Yasoul neighborhood, in the occupied East Jerusalem town of Silwan.  The court judgment affects 58 out of the total 84 houses that are earmarked for demolition to pave way for the expansion of an Israeli national park,  a court decision is still pending regarding the fate of the remaining 26 houses.

According to local media outlets, the demolition will leave at least 725 families homeless.

The occupations claims that the houses are set to be demolished due to lack of housing permits, the residents however say they have been trying to obtain the permits for more than 17 years but the occupation’s municipal officials have repeatedly rejected their applications.

Since early 2021, Israel has expanded its policy to demolish Palestinian homes, causing the displacement of hundreds of citizens and leaving them traumatized  and with economic losses worth millions of dollars.

A report published July 15 by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs revealed that the Israeli authorities have demolished at least 474 Palestinian-owned structures in the West Bank since early this year. These operations led to the displacement of 656 Palestinians, including about 359 children.

The upsurge in demolitions has sparked international condemnation.  On 26 November, The European Union called on Israeli authorities to stop the demolition of Palestinian homes in the occupied territories. A statement by the continental body’s media office said, ” “We reiterate our call to halt demolitions and any other unlawful practices that coerce Palestinians out of their homes. Demolitions are illegal under international law and significantly undermine the prospects for peace,”

While in July, The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian Territory, Michael Lynk said the demolitions are ”both unlawful and heartless.”