Stop Al-Quds Demolitions: UN

By IOL Staff

Israeli authorities demolish scores of Palestinian houses in Al-Quds every year on claims of lacking construction permits.CAIRO — The United Nations on Friday, May 1, urged Israel to freeze demolitions of Palestinian houses in Al-Quds (occupied East Jerusalem), reflecting the growing international concerns over Israeli policies in the holy city.
"Israeli authorities should immediately freeze all pending demolition orders and undertake planning that will address the Palestinian housing crisis in East Jerusalem," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories said in a special report.
Israeli authorities demolish scores of Palestinian houses in Al-Quds every year on claims of lacking construction permits.
"According to official statistics, between 2000 and 2008 alone, the Israeli authorities demolished more than 670 Palestinian-owned structures in East Jerusalem due to lack of permit.
"In 2009, OCHA has recorded the demolition of 19 Palestinian-owned structures in East Jerusalem, including 11 inhabited residential structures."
The UN report said hundreds of Palestinian houses in the holy city are facing the risk of mass demolitions by Israeli authorities.
"Some 60,000 Palestinians in East Jerusalem are at risk of having their homes demolished by the Israeli authorities."
The OCHA said that the population growth and the difficulty in obtaining permits have forced many Palestinians to build their homes without permits.
"The gap between housing needs based on population growth and the legally permitted construction is estimated to be at least 1,100 housing units per year."
Israel captured Al-Quds in the 1967 six-day war and later annexed it in a move not recognized by the international community.
Since the occupation of Al-Quds, Israel has adopted a series of oppressive measures to force the Palestinians out, including systematic demolition of their homes.
Al-Quds is home to Al-Haram Al-Sharif, which includes Islam's third holiest shrine Al-Aqsa Mosque, and represents the heart of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Hardships
The UN also cautioned that Israel is also demolishing hundreds of Palestinian houses in West Bank every year.
"Israel's policy of home demolitions is not limited to East Jerusalem," the report said.
"Each year, hundreds of Palestinian-owned structures are demolished in Area C of the West Bank for lack of a building permit.
"Thousands of other Palestinian families in Area C face the constant threat of demolition due to outstanding demolition orders."
The report warned that the Israeli practices have huge negative impact on Palestinian civilians.
"The demolition of houses causes significant hardship for the people affected," it said.
"Not only must displaced families overcome the psychological distress of losing their homes, they are usually burdened with debt after the loss of their primary asset."
The report noted that Palestinian children are also bearing the brunt of the Israeli actions.
"Children, who represent over 50 percent of the Palestinian population, are particularly affected by the displacement of their families.
"In the immediate aftermath of demolitions, children often face gaps in education and limited access to basic services.
"Israel must ensure that the basic needs of the Palestinian population of the occupied territory are met."