Jerusalem:Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir participated in a raid on Al-Tur, a town east of Jerusalem, on Tuesday morning. The operation involved the demolition of a five-story residential building housing about 70 residents, mostly women and children.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, Ben-Gvir's involvement in the demolition was criticized by the Jerusalem Governorate as incitement against local residents. The Governorate also accused him of exploiting the situation for electoral purposes and using the demolition as a political tool against Palestinians.
The Governorate highlighted that such demolitions are part of a broader policy of forced displacement aimed at altering the demographic landscape of Jerusalem. They argued that licensing and zoning issues are often used as pretexts to justify these actions, while Palestinian residents face significant barriers in obtaining building permits.
Residents of the demolished building had engaged in a lengthy legal battle against demolition orders, incurring financial penalties, only to receive a final demolition notice a day before the action was carried out. The Governorate reiterated that East Jerusalem is regarded as occupied Palestinian territory and called for international intervention to halt such demolitions and hold Israeli authorities accountable under international law.
The Governorate reported 427 demolition operations in the Jerusalem Governorate from the start of the year to September 2026, underscoring the intensifying nature of the demolition policy in the area.