Land Research Center

Preamble:

Five major neighborhoods of occupied Jerusalem have been witnessing Israeli violations and attacks on Palestinian people and properties represented in demolishing residences and structures and threatening others of demolition and closure.

The team of field research at Land Research Center documented the following violations during September 2017:

• 11 residential, agricultural and commercial  structures were demolished by the occupation's municipality. Al-Isawiya village came first with  five structures brought down. Ras Al-Amoud and Za'ayyem areas got two residences demolished, where Hizma and At-Tur areas got one residence demolished respectively

As for threats on constructions, Israel's Civil Administration and Israel's Municipality in Jerusalem threatened a number of buildings in Al-Isawiya town of demolition on the claim of "unlicensed construction".

Also, Israel's Occupation Forces  seized Shamasneh family residence in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and delivered it to fanatic colonists. This step was believed taken to control the neighborhood and turn it into colonial quarter.

Demolition of Palestinian residences:

During September 2017, the Israeli occupation municipality demolished 4 residences in East Jerusalem including all are stone houses.

The following table illustrates the number of demolished residences in Jerusalem during September  2017:

Source : Field observation- Department of Monitoring Israeli Violations- Land Research Center-2107

Demolition of Palestinian structures:

During September 2017, the Israeli occupation municipality demolished 7  structures in East Jerusalem including one commercial structure, four agricultural structures  and two retaining walls. The following table illustrates the number of demolished structures during September  2017:

Source : Field observation- Department of Monitoring Israeli Violations- Land Research Center-2017

Demolition threats on residences and structures:

The Israeli occupation municipality in Jerusalem notified six apartments founded in the southeastern area of Al-Isawiya town of administrative demolition.

Confiscation of properties:

Israel's Occupation Forces  seized Shamasneh family residence in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and delivered it to fanatic colonists after they claimed its ownership.

Land Research Center LRC sees that demolitions contradict with all the International conventions and Humanitarian laws including:

Article 17 of the (1948) Universal Declaration of Human Rights stating: “Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.”

Section ‹G› of article 23 of the (1907) The Hague Conventions asserting: “In addition to the prohibitions provided by special Conventions, it is especially forbidden to destroy or seize the enemy's property, unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war.”

Article 53 of the Geneva Fourth Convention (1948) declaring: “Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.”

Section 1, Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966): “The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. The States Parties will take appropriate steps to ensure the realization of this right, recognizing to this effect the essential importance of international co-operation based on free consent."

This case study is part of Kan'aan Project