‘A notice of imminent destruction’: Israel’s home demolitions in East Jerusalem reach record numbers

From the show

Reading time 1 min

While all eyes are on Gaza, another war is being fought for control of Jerusalem. Hundreds of Israeli police officers mobilised Monday for Jerusalem Day, commemorating the city's total conquest by Israel in 1967. It’s an opportunity for Israeli nationalists to reaffirm their hold on the city – and, increasingly, for scenes of violence against Palestinians in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem. This part of the city – which under international law should have been returned to the Palestinians – is being increasingly eroded by Israeli settlements. Like in the occupied West Bank, the destruction of Palestinian family homes has accelerated since the October 7, 2023 attacks. In 2024 1,617 buildings were destroyed compared with 1,175 the previous year, according to UN figures. Amira Souilem, Claire Duhamel and Mohammed Natsheh went to Silwan on the edge of Jerusalem’s Old City to meet a Palestinian family whose house is due to be destroyed.