Jerusalem: Israeli occupation authorities on Monday forced a Palestinian to demolish his own house in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, according to local sources. The occupation authorities compelled Mohammad As-Salaymeh to tear down his house in the Wadi Qaddum area, citing the reason as being built without a license.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, As-Salaymeh undertook the demolition himself to avoid the hefty fines that would be imposed if the occupation municipality of Jerusalem carried out the demolition. Israel frequently uses the pretext of illegal building to demolish Palestinian houses, as part of efforts to restrict Palestinian growth in occupied Jerusalem.
Simultaneously, the occupation municipality and government have been constructing tens of thousands of housing units in illegal colonies in East Jerusalem for Jewish residents. This construction is part of a strategy to alter the demographic balance in favor of Jewish colonists in the occupied city.
Palestinians in East Jerusalem, an area recognized internationally as part of the Palestinian Territory and under Israeli military occupation since 1967, are denied citizenship rights. They are instead classified only as "residents," and their permits can be revoked if they move away from the city for an extended period. They face discrimination in housing, employment, and services and cannot access services in the West Bank due to Israel's separation wall.
A report by the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem indicates that the Israeli occupation High Court could potentially be held accountable for war crimes due to policies leading to the dispossession of Palestinians in Area C of the West Bank. The report, "Fake Justice," asserts that the court's endorsement of Israeli planning policy equates to support for the dispossession and forcible transfer of Palestinians, actions considered war crimes under international law.