PNN/Jerusalem
Jerusalem Center for Social and Economic Rights (JCSER) has revealed that more than 20,000 Palestine homes in Jerusalem have been shortlisted to be demolished by the Israeli occupation authorities.
Ziad Hamouri, the center’s head, stated that the reason why these homes will be demolished is that they were built without building licences issued by the Israeli municipality in the occupied city of Jerusalem. Although, applications for such licences from Palestinians are rarely approved.
The Israelis use the licence issue as a pretext to get rid of the centuries-old Palestinian existence in Jerusalem, according to Hamouri. Few Palestinians can afford a building licence even if an application is approved. “The Israeli demands for a construction licence are punitive financially and procedurally,” said Hamouri. “Every licence takes from five to eight years to be issued and they cost from $30,000 t0 $50,000 each.”
Jews living in the city, however, do not have to go through such complicated procedures. They even find apartments ready-made for them to move into and are exempt from frequent and very high taxes.
PA has called on the international community to step up and stop ‘Israel’ from stealing more Palestinian lands.
