Concerns are rising among Palestinians in the village of Qalandia, north of occupied Jerusalem, as Israeli occupation authorities have issued demolition orders for seven residential buildings, threatening the eviction of dozens of families. The municipality informed residents that they must vacate their homes within 21 days in preparation for the demolition orders.
On Tuesday morning, the occupation municipality crews hung demolition notices in the eastern neighborhood of Qalandia, claiming that the reason for this action is 'construction without permits,' according to a statement from the Jerusalem governorate. These notices are based on a court decision for demolition that has been in effect since December 12, 2021.
Details of the Incident
The notices include a warning that the municipality will not be responsible for any damage to property if the homes are not vacated within the specified time. In this context, the head of the Qalandia village council, Walid Al-Kaishi, stated in a special comment to Al Jazeera Net that residents did not expect a positive outcome from the Israeli judiciary, which he described as 'unjust.' Nevertheless, Al-Kaishi expressed his determination to proceed with the legal path and file the necessary objections.
Al-Kaishi pointed out that the most recent buildings targeted for demolition were constructed 20 years ago, explaining that the escalation in targeting this area has increased in recent months, as the occupation plans to establish a waste incineration and recycling facility in the region.
Background & Context
The threatened homes, along with others built before the occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967, are located on the eastern edge of Qalandia, covering an area of 15 dunams. Approximately 40 people live in this area, half of whom are children. Residents of this area, estimated to number around 500, are forced to cross the Qalandia military checkpoint and travel 12 kilometers by vehicle to reach Qalandia town due to their isolation following the construction of the separation wall in 2002.
Last October, the occupation authorities notified residents of the confiscation of 150 dunams and the demolition of two buildings containing six residential apartments, as part of ongoing assaults under the pretext that the eastern part of the village falls within the boundaries of the Jerusalem municipality controlled by the occupation.
Impact & Consequences
Al-Kaishi described the future of the village as 'very bleak,' as it is expected that the available land for residents will shrink after the completion of the waste incineration and recycling project, along with the expansion of the 'Atarot' settlement and the construction of 9,000 new settlement units on the lands of Jerusalem International Airport and the surrounding areas. Consequently, residents will live on only 150 dunams out of the 4,000 dunams that this village once occupied.
It is worth noting that Qalandia village has been targeted for land confiscation and demolition operations since the 1970s due to its proximity to the industrial area in 'Atarot' and the entrance to Jerusalem International Airport.
Regional Significance
In this context, the Baider human rights organization confirmed that these actions constitute a blatant violation of the rights of residents, exacerbating their suffering. The organization called on the international community to intervene to protect citizens' homes and halt forced displacement policies in the region. The continuation of these policies could lead to a worsening of humanitarian conditions in the area and increase tensions between Palestinians and Israelis.
In conclusion, what is happening in Qalandia village is part of a broader policy aimed at displacing Palestinians from their lands, necessitating urgent international action to protect human rights in the occupied territories.