LAW
Israel demolished six homes in East Jerusalem
11 June 2002
This morning, June 11, Israeli occupation forces demolished six Palestinian homes in the Palestinian neighborhood Sur Baher in occupied East Jerusalem. The owners of the homes, which were under construction, were not present when the homes were demolished. The Israeli West Jerusalem Municipality issued the demolition order, 48 hours before the demolition was carried out. The owners of the homes and land have applied numerous times for a construction permit.
The total number of homes, destroyed by Israeli authorities in occupied East Jerusalem, has so far reached 33 since the beginning of this year. In 2001, Israeli authorities destroyed 17 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem.
Four of the homes belong to four brothers. One of them, Atef Abukaf (38), stated to LAW that he received a call from friends telling him about the home demolition. The home is 200 square meters and costed 250.000 shekels (USD 50.000). His brother, Nasser (35) told LAW that his home also costed the same amount. Another brother, Hamdan (55) told LAW that his home of 600 square meters cost him 350.000 shekels (USD 70.000). This home was supposed to accomodate his sons Nasser and Ahmad, who is married with four children.
Hamza Ramouni (20), the owner of another home, which had been demolished this morning, told LAW that he started building his home four months ago. His home is 123 square meters and costed him 125.000 shekels (USD 25.000). His brother, Mohammad, told LAW that a number of bulldozers arrived to demolish his home, which was supposed to accomodate his family, including six children. The sixth home belongs to Emad Dabbish. His home is 400 square meters.
This action cannot be reconciled with article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the destruction of property except where rendered 'absolutely necessary by military operations'. Home demolitions constitute collective punishment. Collective punishment is explicitly prohibited by article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Despite the clear illegality of the measure, Israeli occupation authorities have resorted to home demolitions throughout the occupation, and have stepped up home demolitions during this year.
