Israeli municipality hands Jerusalem residents demolition orders

Crews from the Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem handed a number of residents in a building in al-Sawwanah neighborhood in East Jerusalem a demolition notice, witnesses told Palestinian official news WAFA. Chairman of the Supreme Islamic Council in Jerusalem, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, and one of the residents told WAFA that Israeli authorities pasted demolishing notices on all the doors of the apartments, without specifying a date or a deadline, under the pretext of construction without obtaining a permit. Sabri said that the families who live in the 16-story building, which includes about 80 individuals, will be appointing a lawyer to represent the case against the Municipality’s arbitrary rule. Sabri said, “The Israeli occupation adopts a systematic policy of demolishing homes and property and taking over land in order to displace the Palestinian residents of Jerusalem.” He warned of ongoing Israeli plans that target every Palestinian citizen and the holy city of Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Israeli police handed several residents in the town of Anata, northeast of Jerusalem, demolition notices for houses, stores, and cattle sheds. One of the town’s residents told WAFA that Israeli police raided the town and handed out about 20 demolition notices under the pretext of construction without permits. The police gave the residents until February 19 to appeal the decision of the Municipality. Residents pointed out that the town has been witnessing land confiscation and demolition of homes in order for the Israelis to build and expand nearby illegal settlements.