Israel’s Honed Israel’s Honed Policy of House Policy of House Demolitions and Demolitions and

Land-GrabLand-GrabThe Increasingly-Frequently-Used Policy of the Apartheid The Increasingly-Frequently-Used Policy of the Apartheid Regime: the Demolition of Palestinian Homes to Set the Regime: the Demolition of Palestinian Homes to Set the Stage for Expansion of Israeli Settlements and Land and Stage for Expansion of Israeli Settlements and Land and

Resource Grab.Resource Grab.

Israel’s policy of house demolitions seeks to Israel’s policy of house demolitions seeks to confine Palestinians to small enclaves, leaving confine Palestinians to small enclaves, leaving most of the land free for Israeli settlement.most of the land free for Israeli settlement.

--ICAHD --ICAHD [Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions][Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions]

Article 53 of the 4Article 53 of the 4thth Geneva Convention reads: Geneva Convention reads:

““Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons…is belonging individually or collectively to private persons…is prohibited." prohibited."

Under this provision the practice of demolishing Palestinian houses is Under this provision the practice of demolishing Palestinian houses is banned, as is the wholesale destruction of the Palestinian banned, as is the wholesale destruction of the Palestinian infrastructure. infrastructure.

[http://www.icahd.org/eng/faq.asp?menu=9&submenu=1 ][http://www.icahd.org/eng/faq.asp?menu=9&submenu=1 ]

House Demolition Stats and FactsHouse Demolition Stats and Facts--from ICAHD--from ICAHD

Houses demolished since the Occupation began:Houses demolished since the Occupation began:

Since 1967, Since 1967, 18,000 houses Palestinian homes18,000 houses Palestinian homes have been demolished in the have been demolished in the Occupied Territories, including East Jerusalem: Occupied Territories, including East Jerusalem:

At least 6,000 houses were demolished immediately following the 1967 war. At least 6,000 houses were demolished immediately following the 1967 war. Four entire villages were razed in the Four entire villages were razed in the LatrunLatrun area (now known as “ area (now known as “Canada Canada ParkPark”), while ”), while hundreds of ancient homes were destroyedhundreds of ancient homes were destroyed in the in the Mughrabi Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City to create a plaza for the Wailing Mughrabi Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City to create a plaza for the Wailing Wall. Wall.

Why is it a problem for East Jerusalem Palestinians to obtain housing Why is it a problem for East Jerusalem Palestinians to obtain housing permits?permits?

Since 1967, Israel has created a "Greater" Jerusalem which Since 1967, Israel has created a "Greater" Jerusalem which controls the controls the entire central portion of the West Bankentire central portion of the West Bank and cuts economic heart out of and cuts economic heart out of Palestinian state. While constructing 90,000 housing units for Jews in East Palestinian state. While constructing 90,000 housing units for Jews in East Jerusalem, the municipality has intentionally created a shortage of 25,000 Jerusalem, the municipality has intentionally created a shortage of 25,000 housing units for Palestinians. … to housing units for Palestinians. … to maintain a 72%-28% majority of maintain a 72%-28% majority of Jews over ArabsJews over Arabs – a racist policy that no Jews in the world would accept & – a racist policy that no Jews in the world would accept & to to confine the Palestinian population to small islandsconfine the Palestinian population to small islands – the Arabs make – the Arabs make up a third of the Jerusalem population, but only have access to 7% of the up a third of the Jerusalem population, but only have access to 7% of the urban land.urban land.

A Village Near Bethlehem: Over 60 Homes and one A Village Near Bethlehem: Over 60 Homes and one Mosque Slated for Demolition in Village; Numerous Mosque Slated for Demolition in Village; Numerous

Houses Previously Demolished.Houses Previously Demolished.

The land of Walaja village, just east of Bethlehem, has been annexed into Jerusalem municipality.

Israel gets the land, Palestinians get nothing.

After their home was After their home was demolished for the first demolished for the first time in January 2006, time in January 2006,

the family lived for two the family lived for two months—in winter—in months—in winter—in

this tent.this tent.

Demolitions come very Demolitions come very early in the morning, early in the morning,

with little to no advance with little to no advance warning: “warning: “Imagine Imagine

sleeping in your home sleeping in your home and someone knocks on and someone knocks on your door telling you to your door telling you to get out of your house, get out of your house,

that it will be that it will be demolished. You have demolished. You have no time to take your no time to take your

clothes, to take clothes, to take anything. It is all anything. It is all

destroyed.”destroyed.”

Using their own money, they re-built their home. It was demolished a Using their own money, they re-built their home. It was demolished a 22ndnd time in December, 2006. time in December, 2006.

The Holy Land Trust and ICAHD came together to re-build their house yet again. There is a great likelihood it will yet again be demolished by the Israeli government and Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).

Neighbours came to Neighbours came to watch re-building efforts, watch re-building efforts,

intimately familiar re-intimately familiar re-building efforts, along building efforts, along

with intimately familiar with intimately familiar frustration and sorrow.frustration and sorrow.

One neighbour has been One neighbour has been in court for 12 years, in court for 12 years, protesting the illegal protesting the illegal

demolition of his home demolition of his home by the IOF. He has spent by the IOF. He has spent

vast amounts in court vast amounts in court fees and still does not fees and still does not have the right to build have the right to build

anythinganything on his property: on his property: not even a chicken coopnot even a chicken coop

—the chickens stay, —the chickens stay, instead, inside an old instead, inside an old van. Although Israel’s van. Although Israel’s

arbitrary and self-serving arbitrary and self-serving laws are absurdly laws are absurdly

transparent, no one transparent, no one holds Israel accountable holds Israel accountable

for its actions.for its actions.

What are the reasons given by the Israeli government for demolishing What are the reasons given by the Israeli government for demolishing Palestinian homes?Palestinian homes?

The majority of house demolitions are conducted for 'Administrative' The majority of house demolitions are conducted for 'Administrative' reasons and are generally because the house was built without a permit. reasons and are generally because the house was built without a permit. However permits are almost impossible to obtain by Palestinians living However permits are almost impossible to obtain by Palestinians living under Occupation.under Occupation.

--[source:--[source: ICAHD ICAHD]]

Homes demolished for the Apartheid Wall and land-grab at Tulkarem, Western West Bank.

Are expulsions Are expulsions of Palestinians of Palestinians legal under legal under international international law?law?

It is forbidden to It is forbidden to deport or deport or "forcibly "forcibly transfer," the transfer," the local population, local population, including such including such common Israeli common Israeli practices as practices as revoking the revoking the Jerusalem Jerusalem residency of residency of Palestinians or Palestinians or banning banning Palestinians from Palestinians from returning from returning from work, study or work, study or travel abroad. travel abroad. [Articles 35 & 49 [Articles 35 & 49 of the 4th Geneva of the 4th Geneva Convention]. Convention].

--[source:--[source: ICAHD ICAHD]]

Internationals learned more than Internationals learned more than they gave; learned from local they gave; learned from local Palestinians who’ve been Palestinians who’ve been through this re-building through this re-building process numerous times process numerous times before.before.

Down-sizedDown-sized

At less At less than ½ the than ½ the original original size, the size, the house goes house goes up in two up in two weeks’ weeks’ time and time and work.work.

SurroundedSurrounded: the village is surrounded and cut off by an Israeli settlement and : the village is surrounded and cut off by an Israeli settlement and its Israeli-only Bypass Road, and by the Apartheid Wall, which will cross its Israeli-only Bypass Road, and by the Apartheid Wall, which will cross property where house stands. Together, these Israeli annexation and property where house stands. Together, these Israeli annexation and segregation devices will completely isolate this and other villages.segregation devices will completely isolate this and other villages.

Co-Co-existence:existence: The region, The region, near near Bethlehem, Bethlehem, saw saw Muslims and Muslims and Christians Christians live together live together without without problems. problems. New Israeli New Israeli laws and laws and restrictions restrictions serve to serve to isolate the isolate the village from village from a nearby a nearby monastery monastery down the down the road.road.

Did Israel continue building by-pass roads after Did Israel continue building by-pass roads after the Oslo process began?the Oslo process began?

During the Oslo negotiations Israel began building During the Oslo negotiations Israel began building a massive system of 480 kilometers of Israel-only a massive system of 480 kilometers of Israel-only "by-pass" roads, at a cost of $3 billion. The project "by-pass" roads, at a cost of $3 billion. The project continues to this day (May 2002), creating "facts on continues to this day (May 2002), creating "facts on the ground" that make the de facto incorporation of the ground" that make the de facto incorporation of the West Bank into Israel irreversible.. the West Bank into Israel irreversible..

Why are the West Bank by-pass roads important?Why are the West Bank by-pass roads important?

Since 1967, Israel has built 350 kilometers of Since 1967, Israel has built 350 kilometers of highways and by-pass roads in the West Bank, highways and by-pass roads in the West Bank, linking the settlements to Israel proper while linking the settlements to Israel proper while creating barriers to Palestinian movement. Today creating barriers to Palestinian movement. Today (May, 2002) Palestinians are unable to move and (May, 2002) Palestinians are unable to move and work freely, to market their goods, to live normal work freely, to market their goods, to live normal lives.lives.

A neighbour, his home also A neighbour, his home also under threat of demolition, under threat of demolition, charts the changes--charts the changes--decreases-- in village decreases-- in village boundaries over the years. boundaries over the years. Well-informed, he holds Well-informed, he holds numerous documents numerous documents regarding the legality of their regarding the legality of their land ownership, and is well-land ownership, and is well-versed in the illegality of versed in the illegality of Israel’s land-grab policies.Israel’s land-grab policies.

Sharing the details of Sharing the details of their various house their various house

demolitions, assaults demolitions, assaults by the IOF (Israeli by the IOF (Israeli

Occupation Forces), Occupation Forces), harassment by soldiers harassment by soldiers and police alike, and and police alike, and

frustration at the frustration at the unaccountability of unaccountability of

Israeli law with regard Israeli law with regard to Palestinian rights.to Palestinian rights.

Some of the internationals re-building and learning from their Some of the internationals re-building and learning from their Palestinian hosts.Palestinian hosts.

““This is This is your your home home now. now.

You are You are welcome welcome

here.”here.”

The couple The couple in question. in question.

Their Their strength, strength, perseveranperseverance —in the ce —in the face of such face of such obstacles—obstacles—and humour and humour is inspiring, is inspiring, humbling.humbling.

House Demolition Stats and FactsHouse Demolition Stats and Facts----from ICAHDfrom ICAHD

During the seven years of the Oslo negotiations, the Palestinian During the seven years of the Oslo negotiations, the Palestinian Authority achieved control of only Authority achieved control of only 18% of the West Bank18% of the West Bank and and 60% of Gaza60% of Gaza – far from the idea of two states on which Oslo was – far from the idea of two states on which Oslo was based.based.

During the Oslo negotiations (1993-2000) , the Jerusalem During the Oslo negotiations (1993-2000) , the Jerusalem municipality and the [Israeli] Ministry of Interior municipality and the [Israeli] Ministry of Interior demolished demolished almost 300 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalemalmost 300 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem..

Almost Almost 1,700 Palestinian homes1,700 Palestinian homes in the in the Occupied TerritoriesOccupied Territories were demolished by the Civil Administration during the course of were demolished by the Civil Administration during the course of the Oslo peace process (1993-2000) the Oslo peace process (1993-2000)

House Demolition Stats and House Demolition Stats and FactsFacts

Since September 2000, about Since September 2000, about 5000 Palestinian homes5000 Palestinian homes have been have been destroyed in [Israeli] destroyed in [Israeli] military operations. military operations. Tens of thousandsTens of thousands of other of other homes have been homes have been left uninhabitableleft uninhabitable. Altogether . Altogether around 50,000 people around 50,000 people have been left homelesshave been left homeless. .

Wells, water storage pools and water pumps which provided water Wells, water storage pools and water pumps which provided water for drinking, irrigationfor drinking, irrigation and other needs for thousands of people, have and other needs for thousands of people, have also been destroyed, along with tens of kilometers of irrigation networks. also been destroyed, along with tens of kilometers of irrigation networks.

During the same period (Sept. 2000-May 2007) about During the same period (Sept. 2000-May 2007) about 1900 Palestinian 1900 Palestinian homeshomes have been demolished by the [Israeli] have been demolished by the [Israeli] Civil AdministrationCivil Administration for for lack of proper permitslack of proper permits. .

More than More than 628 Palestinian homes628 Palestinian homes have been demolished during the have been demolished during the second Intifada as second Intifada as collective punishment and “deterrence”collective punishment and “deterrence” affecting affecting families of people known or suspected of involvement in attacks on Israeli families of people known or suspected of involvement in attacks on Israeli civilians. On average civilians. On average 12 innocent people lose their home for every 12 innocent people lose their home for every person “punished”person “punished” for a security offense – and in half of the cases the for a security offense – and in half of the cases the occupants had nothing whatsoever to do with the acts in question. Toccupants had nothing whatsoever to do with the acts in question. The he Israeli government insists its policies are pursued to “deter” Israeli government insists its policies are pursued to “deter” potential terrorists, although 79% of the suspected offenders were potential terrorists, although 79% of the suspected offenders were either dead or in detention at the time of the demolitioneither dead or in detention at the time of the demolition. .

Rebuilding in Anata: an ICAHD project.Rebuilding in Anata: an ICAHD project.

ICAHD organizes 2 week international work camps each year, ICAHD organizes 2 week international work camps each year, to re-build homes destroyed by Israel. Internationals of all to re-build homes destroyed by Israel. Internationals of all

ages and nationalities unite to re-build.ages and nationalities unite to re-build.

Building walls.

While the home ICAHD had chosen to re-build was under

construction, the IOF bulldozed a smaller home in

the area for no reason. ICAHD spontaneously decided to re-build the demolished home at the same time as the project

underway.

Seen from inside the house being re-built by ICAHD, a newly demolished home in the valley.

A professor, this man has A professor, this man has come for three summers to come for three summers to re-build homes demolished re-build homes demolished by the IOF and Israel’s by the IOF and Israel’s government.government.

He lends his physical He lends his physical labour here, and advocates labour here, and advocates for change back home, for change back home, lobbying his government lobbying his government representatives and holding representatives and holding awareness-raising events.awareness-raising events.

He has tried 4 times to obtain the necessary permit to build a home on his own land. Each attempt cost him US $5,000. Each attempt was rejected, for ever-changing reasons, by the Israeli government. His first home was demolished after 2.5 years. The IOF, upon arriving to demolish the home in the early hours of the morning, threw tear gas canisters into the house where his family was asleep. He was badly beaten.

None of this is unusual.