Israel orders Palestinian residents to demolish their own homes

Demolition Orders Issued in East Jerusalem, Palestinians Face Financial Burden

A family of eight, including three children, has been forced to demolish their home in the south of occupied East Jerusalem after receiving a demolition order from Israeli authorities. The family, led by Basema Dabash and her husband Raed, had been living under the threat of demolition since 2014, when they received a building violation notice.

In January, the family received an eviction notice, giving them a deadline to vacate the house and have it demolished. If they did not comply, they would be required to pay a fine of 100,000 shekels ($32,000). The family chose to demolish their home themselves to avoid the fine, which can reach 45,000 shekels ($14,600) in instalments until 2029.

According to Basema, the demolition process was carried out by the family members themselves, with photos sent to the municipality to confirm that the work had begun. However, the Israeli authorities demanded that the demolition be completed from the outside as soon as possible.

The Dabash family has been struggling to obtain building permits for their home, despite multiple requests being rejected by Israel. The municipality claims that Palestinians lack necessary permits, but in reality, they are fined and demolished under this pretext.

As a result of the demolition, the family is now facing significant financial burdens, including expenses for removing rubble and redesigning the older section of the house to accommodate everyone. Basema expressed her frustration and sadness at being subjected to this injustice, stating that the house has become cramped and barely fits them.

The situation highlights the difficulties faced by Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, which has been under Israeli control since 1967. The family’s story is not an isolated incident, as many Palestinians are forced to demolish their own homes due to the high cost of housing and the lack of affordable options.

Source: Al Jazeera