[IsraelTimes] Troops said to arrive in Sur Baher neighborhood to raze structures, evict Paleostinian residents after court green-lights move; no immediate confirmation from army.The Israel Defense Forces overnight Sunday-Monday moved to demolish several East Jerusalem buildings constructed near the security barrier, activists said.
There was no immediate confirmation from the military.
Demolition of unauthorized Paleostinian-owned structures in East Jerusalem is not unusual. However,
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the homes slated for demolition, some of which are still under construction, are located in the Paleostinian Authority-controlled Area A of the West Bank.
Israel says the 10 structures facing demolition in the Sur Baher neighborhood are in an area where construction is barred because of its proximity to the security barrier.
Paleostinians have charged that the security concerns are a pretext to push them out of the Jerusalem area, and say it is nearly impossible to receive construction permits from Israeli authorities, resulting in a housing shortage in Arab neighborhoods in the city.
A High Court of Justice ruling last month dismissed a petition by Paleostinian residents requesting the cancellation of a military order prohibiting construction in the area.
The court’s dismissal of the case brought an end to the residents’ seven-year legal battle against a military order that halted work on the apartment buildings. Though the permits for the buildings were issued by the PA’s planning ministry nearly 10 years ago, Israel in 2012 ordered a halt to construction work in the area known as Wadi al-Hummus, citing its close proximity to the security barrier.
On June 18, Paleostinian residents received a 30-day notice from Israeli authorities informing them of their intent to demolish the homes. The notice period ended on Thursday.
Around 3 a.m. on Monday, activists from the All That’s Left Collective: Anti-Occupation Collective NGO said the military began moving into the neighborhood ahead of the demolitions.
"The army has began arranging equipment to begin demolition, including cutting the separation barrier to approach a house with residents that is scheduled for demolition. People on the scene report heavy military presence as well as large construction equipment," it said in a statement.
"Residents are staying in their homes resisting the demolition along with 40 international and Israeli activists who are present to witness and provide solidarity," the statement added.
Around 6 a.m., the group said hundreds of Israeli troops were evicting the Paleostinian residents and removing activists from the buildings.
Earlier, the army dispersed several dozen Paleostinians protesting the planned demolitions.