Land Research Center - LRC

Israeli violations against Palestinian Right to Housing in Occupied East Jerusalem During October 2017

2017-11-05

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 October 2017:

  • 14 residential and agricultural structures were demolished by the occupation's municipality. Al-Isawiya village (Jabal Al-Baba Bedouin community) was most targeted with  eight structures. Silwan and Beit Hanina got 3 structures demolished each .

As for threats on constructions, Israel's Civil Administration and Israel's Municipality in Jerusalem threatened 10 structures ( in three neighborhoods) of stop-work and demolition.

Noteworthy, Israeli colonists continue on their attacks on Palestinians and their properties in Jerusalem. One group of colonists organized a march in the Old City of Jerusalem and attacked commercial shops and their owners.

Demolition of Palestinian residences:

During October 2017, the Israeli occupation municipality demolished 6 residences in East Jerusalem including 2 cement and bricks residences 4 caravans and 2 construction foundations. The following table illustrates the number of demolished residences in Jerusalem during October  2017:

Location

Aream2

No. of residences

Family

Children

Eizariya  

210

4

25

16

Beit Hanina

200

2*

0

0

Silwan

115

2

9

4

Total

525

8

34

20


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

  • * Construction foundations


Demolition of Palestinian structures:

During October 2017, the Israeli occupation municipality demolished 6  structures in East Jerusalem including one agricultural barrack, one retaining wall, one tent, one outdoor kitchen and two mobile toilets. The following table illustrates the number of demolished structures during October  2017:



Location

No. of structures

Benefited family members

Including children

Eizariya  

4

16

11

Beit Hanina

1

5

3

Silwan

1*

0

0

Total

6

21

14

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

  • *demonstration tent

Demolition threats on residences and structures:

The Israeli occupation municipality in Jerusalem notified 10 residences including ( 2 final demolition orders and 8 administrative demolition). The following table shows the number of threatened residences during October 2017 in East Jerusalem- by neighborhoods:

Location

Aream2

Number of residences

Family

Minors

Silwan

560

7

39

15

Eizariya  

100

2

11

5

Jabal Al-Mukabbir

100

1

5

0

Total

1940

10

55

20

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

Colonists' attacks:

Fanatic colonists organized a march in the Old City of Jerusalem and assaulted the owners of commercial shops in the area.

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

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