Israeli Municipality Forces Palestinian to Demolish Five Businesses in Jerusalem

Jerusalem: An Israeli municipality in Jerusalem compelled Adham Tabash, a Jerusalemite resident, to demolish five commercial structures and shops he owns in the Wadi al-Joz industrial zone in occupied Jerusalem, after threatening him with heavy fines if the municipality carried out the demolition itself. According to Palestine News and Information Agency, the Jerusalem Governorate reported that Tabash had already been compelled to pay approximately NIS 300,000 in fines over the past few years. The municipality subsequently threatened to impose tens of thousands of shekels in additional fees to cover demolition costs, prompting him to demolish his own properties under duress to avoid the additional fines. The targeted facilities include a carpentry workshop, a travel and tourism agency, a motorcycle repair shop, and a bakery. These establishments provided a livelihood for dozens of Jerusalemite workers and their families. Their demolition poses a direct threat to their livelihoods, occurring amidst the ong oing targeting of the Wadi al-Joz industrial zone and the Palestinian economic establishments located there. According to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, occupation authorities carried out 71 demolition operations in August, affecting 155 structures, including 47 inhabited homes, eight uninhabited homes, 33 livelihood-generating structures, 61 agricultural structures, and six other structures. They also issued 44 demolition notices targeting Palestinian structures and property. The demolition operations directly affected at least 200 Palestinians, including 75 children and 56 women.