Israel to Demolish 2 Buildings in Jerusalem

Israeli authorities on Monday handed a notification to demolish two Palestinian-owned buildings in al-Issawiya, a town on the outskirts of Jerusalem, according to local sources.

Witnesses told WAFA that staff from the Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem broke into the town and handed a notification to demolish the two buildings, under the pretext of construction without an Israeli permit.

This came only one day after Israeli authorities notified to demolish two Palestinian residencies in East Jerusalem, also for construction without an Israeli permit.

Some 579 homes have been destroyed in East Jerusalem over the last twelve years, leaving 2,133 Palestinians homeless in total, according to Israeli rights group B'Tselem.

Israeli government policies make it nearly impossible for Palestinian residents of Jerusalem to obtain building permits, according to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel.

Although Palestinians in East Jerusalem are living in a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian Territory that has been under Israeli military occupation since 1967, they are denied citizenship and classified only as 'residents’ whose permits can be revoked if they move away from the city.

They are also discriminated against in all aspects of life including housing, employment and services, and remain unable to access services in the West Bank due to the construction of Israel’s separation 

Source: WAFA