Description

Jerusalem Municipality officers and Israeli troops demolished a Palestinian home in Al-Ashqareyeh neighborhood of Beit Hanina on December 5. The owners of the home, Al-Ashqareyeh family, were given no warning prior to the demolition, and all 6 family members are now without a home.

The home, which was built in 2006 covered 50 square meters, housed Majdi al-Salaymeh, his wife and four children, aged 5 to 10. Two years ago the Municipality issued fines of 15,000 NIS, then again a year later. Despite al-Salaymeh’s timely payment of the fines, the Municipality took the surprise decision to destroy his family home, and arrived with no prior announcement on 5 December, accompanied by a huge force of Israeli troops.

Majdi, who was at work when troops arrived, received a panic-stricken call from his wife when troops surrounded the house and began removing their furniture. When he arrived, he asked the commanding officer to show him the demolition order, but was ignored.

Neighbors and media were prevented by troops from approaching the demolition area.