The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) reported that Jerusalem Municipality intends to demolish 88 houses in the el-Bustan area of Silwan village in East Jerusalem.
The ICAHD revealed in a press release on Tuesday that the municipality has code-named the demolition orders as “"The Cherry in the Crown”.
Some of the houses were built prior to the 1967 war, while another portion was constructed in the 1970’s.
So far, four residents received the demolition orders from the municipality.
"There has never been a municipal court ruling that any of these buildings have been built illegally or without permits. Thus, the demolitions will be carried out under building statute (5) 212 of the Israeli Laws of Building and Planning that allow for demolitions of houses that have never been found illegal by the courts”, the press release reads.
Also, ICAHD called upon the international community to express its opposition to such demolition orders issued by the Israeli government and the Jerusalem Municipality.
“Such demolitions violate the spirit, if not the letter, of the Road Map”, the ICAHD reported.
ICAHD Field coordinator, Meir Margalit will be guiding tours to Silwan for journalists and diplomats on Saturday 28th May at 4.00 p.m. and Thursday 2nd June at 5.00 p.m.
