JERUSALEM, Israeli occupation authorities forced today a Palestinian family in the occupied Jerusalem neighborhood of al-Isawiya to self-demolish an animal barn of its own, citing unpermitted construction as a pretext.

Local sources told WAFA that the Darwish family in al- Isawiya were forced to demolish a barn of their own to avoid paying exorbitant fees if the Israeli municipality crews carried out the demolition on its own.

Using the pretext of building without a permit, which is rarely granted to Palestinians in the occupied city, the Israeli municipality frequently demolishes or forces Palestinians to demolish their own homes as part of a policy aimed to restrict Palestinian expansion in occupied Jerusalem.

At the same time, the municipality and government build tens of thousands of housing units in illegal settlements in East Jerusalem for Israeli settlers with the goal to offset the demographic balance in favor of the settler population of the occupied city.

Although Palestinians in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian Territory that has been subject to Israeli military occupation since 1967, they are denied their citizenship rights and are instead classified only as “residents” whose permits can be revoked if they move away from the city for more than a few years.

They are also discriminated against in all aspects of life including housing, employment and services, and are unable to access services in the West Bank due to the construction of Israel’s separation wall.

Source: Palestine News & Info Agency