Jerusalem: Israeli occupation forces on Tuesday delivered demolition orders and issued fines against Palestinian-owned homes in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabal Al-Mukaber, according to local sources. They reported that the occupying forces, accompanied by municipal crews, entered the neighborhood, where they handed over several demolition orders and citations against several Palestinian-owned homes, purportedly for being built without licenses.
According to Palestine news and Information Agency, the delivery of such orders and citations came as part of Israel's policy aimed at tightening restrictions on Palestinians and imposing stringent limitations on construction and urban expansion in occupied Jerusalem. Using the pretext of illegal building, Israel regularly demolishes houses to restrict Palestinian expansion in the city.
At the same time, the occupation municipality and government construct tens of thousands of housing units in illegal colonies in East Jerusalem for Jews to offset the demographic balance in favor of Jewish colonists in the occupied city. Although Palestinians in East Jerusalem are part of the internationally recognized Palestinian Territory that has been subject to Israeli military occupation since 1967, they are denied citizenship rights and are classified only as "residents" whose permits can be revoked if they move away from the city for more than a few years.
They face discrimination in all aspects of life, including housing, employment, and services, and are unable to access services in the West Bank due to the construction of Israel's separation wall. According to a report by the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, the Israeli occupation High Court could be liable for war crimes due to their policies that led to the dispossession of Palestinians from their properties in Area C of the West Bank. The report, Fake Justice, indicates that the court's support of Israeli planning policy equates to support for the dispossession and forcible transfer of Palestinians, actions deemed as war crimes under international law.