'Israeli' authorities demolish four-story building in east Jerusalem

• 'Israeli' authorities demolish four-story building in Silwan, displacing over ten families; called the largest demolition in Jerusalem in 2025.
• Palestinians condemn the move as forced displacement; municipality cites permit and zoning issues.

On Monday, 'Israeli' authorities began demolishing a four-story building in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, home to more than 100 Palestinians.

Authorities claimed construction without permits as the reason, while residents described the action as a “tragedy.” Human rights organizations called it the largest demolition of its kind in Jerusalem in 2025.

Palestinian Response and Condemnation

The Jerusalem governorate under the Palestinian Authority condemned the demolition, framing it as part of a “systematic policy of forced displacement.” Eyewitnesses reported three bulldozers arriving in Silwan, near the Old City, under heavy 'Israeli' police security to carry out the demolition, displacing over ten families including women, children, and the elderly.

Resident Eid Shawar, who lived in one of the apartments with his wife and five children, described the scene to AFP: “They broke the door while we were sleeping, told us to change clothes and take only essential documents, and did not allow us to remove our furniture. I have nowhere to go; my family will have to stay in the car.”

Witness Accounts of the Demolition

AFP reporters on site documented three bulldozers demolishing the building in front of residents. One woman mourned as she watched, saying, “This is my bedroom.”

Housing Crisis in East Jerusalem

Palestinians in East Jerusalem face a severe housing crisis, with 'Israeli' authorities granting very few building permits, insufficient for population growth. Human rights activists argue that this policy exacerbates the housing shortage and does not account for demographic needs.

Regular Demolitions and Political Context

'Israeli' authorities regularly demolish buildings they consider illegal, built by Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.

Palestinians consider East Jerusalem as the capital of their state, while 'Israel' occupy the entire city its “unified” capital.

Over 360,000 Palestinians and approximately 230,000 'Israelis' currently reside in East Jerusalem. 'Israel' occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank during the 1967 war and later annexed East Jerusalem, a move not recognized internationally.

Statements from Palestinian and Human Rights Groups

The Jerusalem governorate described the demolition as a “war crime and a crime against humanity,” accusing 'Israel' of systematically displacing Palestinians to empty the city of its original inhabitants.

'Israeli' human rights organizations Ir Amim and Bimkom reported that the demolition began “without prior notice,” just hours before a scheduled meeting between the building’s lawyers and municipal officials to discuss possible resolutions.

They noted that this represents “the largest demolition carried out in Jerusalem during 2025,” and that nearly 100 Palestinian families in East Jerusalem have lost their homes this year.

'Israeli' Municipality Justification

In response, the Jerusalem municipality claimed that the building was “constructed without a permit” and has had a valid demolition order since 2014.

The municipality added that the land is allegedly “zoned for recreation and sports purposes” and not for residential use.