In a distressing turn of events, the Israeli occupation authorities have forced a Palestinian woman to demolish her two homes in the “Beit Hanina” area, located north of the occupied city of Jerusalem, within the separation barrier.
Palestinian sources in occupied Jerusalem reported on Sunday that the Jerusalem municipality, under Israeli control, coerced Palestinian woman Fayza Al-Obaidi into demolishing her two apartments, each spanning 125 square meters, housing a total of 10 family members. The reason cited for the demolition was the alleged construction without a permit.
Sources further revealed that despite the Al-Obaidi family’s efforts to obtain the necessary construction permits, they resorted to self-demolition to evade hefty fines imposed by the Israeli municipality in case they carried out the demolition using their own machinery.
In a grim reality, many residents of Jerusalem find themselves compelled to carry out self-demolitions under the pressure of the Israeli municipality to avoid punitive fines or even arrests for non-payment.
The issue of house demolitions is a contentious and deeply troubling one in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinians in Jerusalem and other occupied territories often face significant challenges when attempting to secure building permits from Israeli authorities.
The difficulty in obtaining permits, combined with a growing Palestinian population and housing needs, has led to unauthorized construction. This, in turn, results in a precarious situation where Palestinian families must either demolish their own homes or face the demolition and potential legal consequences at the hands of the Israeli authorities.
The practice of house demolitions has drawn international condemnation and has been a subject of concern for human rights organizations advocating for the rights and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation. It remains a poignant and contentious issue in the ongoing struggle for justice and self-determination in the region.
