Occupation forces 7 Jerusalemite families to self-demolish their homes in Qalandia

Seven Palestinian families in the town of Qalandia, located north of occupied Jerusalem, were forced to demolish their homes with their own hands, in response to orders issued by the Israeli occupation authorities. The occupation municipality justified its decisions by citing 'building without a permit,' a tactic it employs to constrict Palestinian presence in the holy city and target residential and agricultural structures.

The timing of the demolitions exacerbated the suffering of the residents, as the decision was issued on the first day of Eid al-Adha, with families given a final deadline ending on the fourth day of the Eid. Citizens were compelled to carry out the demolitions themselves to avoid paying exorbitant demolition costs and financial fines imposed by the occupation mechanisms if they were to carry out the task, which could amount to astronomical sums beyond the residents' means.

Imad Awadallah, one of those affected by the decision, stated that the families had exhausted all available legal avenues through courts and lawyers to prevent the demolition, but the occupation authorities rejected all appeals. Awadallah confirmed that the demolition resulted in the displacement of 40 to 50 citizens, who are now homeless and do not know their next destination due to the lack of housing alternatives.

The affected individuals revealed the extent of the financial burdens they incurred in an attempt to protect their homes, having paid approximately 450,000 shekels, equivalent to 160,000 dollars, in the current month alone, which included fines, 'Arnona' taxes, and lawyer fees. Despite this significant financial commitment, the occupation bulldozers and administrative pressures did not cease until the homes were razed to the ground.

Residents explained that the option of self-demolition was 'bitter,' but it was necessary to prevent the occupation from imposing additional amounts that could pursue them for many years. Jerusalemites face extreme difficulties living outside their city due to work and education commitments, while the costs of renting an alternative apartment with taxes amount to approximately 15,000 shekels per month, an amount beyond the capacity of the displaced families.

For his part, Nael Awadallah, head of the Qalandia Village Council, stated that the families were faced with two difficult choices, especially given the presence of severe medical conditions and special needs among the residents of those homes. He pointed out that the successive warnings received by the residents did not take into account the sanctity of Eid or the harsh humanitarian conditions these families are experiencing.

In a further escalation, sources from the Jerusalem Governorate reported that the occupation authorities were not content with demolishing walls and roofs, but also forced homeowners on Sunday morning to bring a bulldozer to remove all remaining features and rubble. These measures aim to ensure that the site is no longer suitable for habitation and to guarantee the complete evacuation of the area from any Palestinian urban presence.

This incident comes within the context of a systematic policy pursued by the occupation authorities to displace Palestinians from Jerusalem, where building permits are almost completely denied to Arabs, while surrounding settlements expand. Human rights organizations consider forcing residents to demolish their homes with their own hands to be the peak of human and legal violations practiced by the occupying power.

According to documented reports issued by the Jerusalem Governorate, this year has witnessed a dangerous escalation in demolition operations, with more than 200 homes and structures destroyed since its beginning. Demolition operations vary between demolition by occupation mechanisms or forced self-demolition, reflecting the accelerating pace of silent ethnic cleansing in the neighborhoods and towns of occupied Jerusalem.

We were forced to demolish with our own hands to avoid severe penalties and fines imposed by the occupation if its mechanisms carried out the demolition, even though we left no legal means untried.