This morning, a family in Jabal Mukkaber demolished its own home (2 separate homes, 1 unit each) to avoid excessive fines from the Municipality for the imminent bulldozing.  Twelve family members were displaced, including 6 children.

An additional “self-demolition” of two stores took place in Beit Hanina earlier today.

The pace of demolitions in Jerusalem continues to snowball, with the total number now reaching 190, including 122 residential units.  At this rate, the number of demolitions in Jerusalem for the year is fast nearing triple the year-end total of 74 for 2015.

Today’s events add to a rash of demolitions last week:

Tuesday, November 8

• Two story building under construction in Wadi Joz, including two completed residential units, two under construction and eight commercial units filled with goods.
• Issawiyya –A two story building with two residential units on the second floor and four shops on the first.
• A-Tur (Khalt Al-Ein section) – Incomplete demolition of a one floor building under construction, delayed due to technical challenges.  Approximately 20% of the building was destroyed.

Wednesday, November 9 

• Demolition of a car wash in Beit Hanina

The A-Tur demolition adds to a steady course of accelerated demolitions and evictions in the Historic Basin that point to Israeli intentions to consolidate control of this key point of contention between Israel and Palestine, pre-empting negotiations and further thwarting the viability of the two state solution.  Ir Amim will continue to map overall demolitions to assess patterns that may inform analysis of this escalating trend.

Please address all inquiries to:

Betty Herschman

Director of International Relations & Advocacy

Ir Amim (City of Nations/City of Peoples)

betty@ir-amim.org.il

054-308-5096

www.ir-amim.org.il

Facebook: tinyurl.com/IrAmimEng

Twitter: @IrAmimAlerts