Israeli demolitions rip through Palestinian area of Jerusalem

Tired and sad, Palestinian activist Fakhri Abu Diab stood amid the rubble of his home in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, just a narrow valley away from the famed domes of the Old City.

In early November, bulldozers from the Israeli-controlled Jerusalem municipality tore down his house in the Silwan neighbourhood for a second time, citing unauthorised construction.

"They want to expel us from the area," said the 62-year-old, who has organised protests against the demolitions in Silwan's Al-Bustan area.

The destruction of homes built without permits -- which campaigners say are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain due to Israel's restrictive planning policy -- has roiled east Jerusalem and the rest of the occupied West Bank for years.

Abu Diab's house was among around 115 Palestinian residential properties marked for demolition by the Jerusalem municipality, which controls both the city's Jewish-majority western part and its Palestinian-majority east, occupied by Israel since 1967.

"They want to erase our presence and drive us out," Abu Diab told AFP.

"But we will stay in Al-Bustan, even in a tent or under a tree."

The municipality says it aims to address "illegal construction, allow the construction of proper infrastructure and new public buildings for the neighbourhood's residents", as well as to create green space.

But Israeli rights group Ir Amim said Israeli authorities often abuse the designation of areas in east Jerusalem as national parks or open spaces.

The group, fighting against demolitions, said the practice is "designed to suppress" Palestinian development "while enabling the seizure of their lands for Israeli interests".

- 'Wore me out' -

The status of Jerusalem remains one of the most contentious issues in the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Israel conquered east Jerusalem, including the Old City, in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, and swiftly annexed the area.

Silwan begins at the foot of the Old City walls where the Bible says the City of David was located, after the Israelite king conquered Jerusalem from the Jebusites.

Today, hundreds of Israeli settlers live among nearly 50,000 Palestinians in Silwan.

The settlers' homes are distinguished by Israeli flags flying from rooftops and windows as well as ubiquitous security cameras.

Meanwhile, Palestinians in east Jerusalem face a housing crisis, unable to build without permits amid a rapidly growing population.

Abu Diab's house was first demolished in February. He rebuilt it, but it was destroyed again in November.

"This time, they wore me out," he said, visibly exhausted.

"The original house was built in the 1950s. I was born, raised, married and raised my children here."

But now, Abu Diab said that "even my children had to rent outside Silwan."

Now, next to his flattened home, Abu Diab lives in a caravan, which is also under threat of demolition.

He and some of his neighbours rejected an offer from the municipality to relocate to another Palestinian neighbourhood in northern Jerusalem.

Near the ruins of Abu Diab's home, 42-year-old day labourer Omar al-Ruwaidi sat by a fire with his son, surrounded by the rubble of his own demolished home and those of four of his brothers.

"About 30 people, including 12 children, are now homeless," he said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

"We've been battling this in court since 2004 and have spent tens of thousands (of Israeli shekels), but to no avail," said Ruwaidi.

Several families who received demolition orders declined to speak to AFP, citing a fear of retribution.

- 'Safe space' -

According to Ir Amim, demolitions in east Jerusalem have surged to unprecedented levels since the start of the Gaza war, which was sparked by a surprise Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Between January and November 2024, 154 homes were demolished across the area, the group said.

On November 13, bulldozers destroyed the Al-Bustan Association community centre, whose director said it served 1,500 Palestinian residents, mostly teenagers.

"The association provided various services to its members, including skill-building, capacity enhancement as well as sports and cultural training," said director Qutaiba Ouda.

"It was a safe haven and a cultural lifeline in a neighbourhood with no community centres."

Ouda lamented the loss, saying that the Israeli authorities did not just destroy a building, but "our memories, dreams and hard work".

Following the demolition, France, which had supported activities at the association, demanded an explanation from Israel.

Kinda Baraka, 15, was among those who frequented the association.

"It was our safe space," she said.

"When it was destroyed, I cried a lot. It felt like they could come and demolish my home next."

Baraka said she believed the demolitions aimed to push out Palestinians in favour of settlers.

Ruwaidi echoed those fears, but remained defiant.

"We will not leave Silwan. Outside Silwan, we cannot breathe," he said.