JERUSALEM MUNICIPALITY DEMOLISHES BEIT HANINA HOME

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001358

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2028
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MUNICIPALITY DEMOLISHES BEIT HANINA HOME

REF: 2007 JERUSALEM 02183

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. The Jerusalem Municipality demolished part
of an apartment building belonging to Majid Abu Ayshah in the
East Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hanina on July 28,
stating that the building exceeded its permit and that the
Municipality was legally obligated to uphold the
court-ordered demolition. Local contacts said the Abu Ayshah
family appealed to the courts to delay the demolition, but
the courts upheld the order. Prominent Palestinians spoke
out against the demolition. End Summary.

MUNICIPALITY CARRIES OUT DEMOLITION
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2. (C) The Jerusalem Municipality demolished part of a
four-story apartment building belonging to Majid Abu Ayshah
on July 28, stating that the building was built illegally.
(Note: The ConGen intervened with the Municipality at the
request of PM Salam Fayyad in October to delay the demolition
of this home, per Ref. End note.) Advisor to Jerusalem's
Mayor Elad Halevy told PolOff the building exceeded its
permit and the illegal upper floors would be demolished. He
said the courts ordered this demolition on July 21 and the
city was obligated to fulfill the orders.


3. (C) According to ICAHD Coordinator Meir Margalit, the Abu
Ayshah family had appealed to the court on July 28 in a last
minute attempt to stall the demolition, but the court upheld
the decision to demolish the building. Abu Ayshah's neighbor
Hussein Abu Dayya told PolOff that Abu Ayshah was arrested
and would remain in prison until he paid the Municipality's
demolition fee.


4. (C) PolOff observed the course of the demolition from
8:30am - 12:30pm. Neighbors said the Israeli police entered
the Abu Ayshah building around 3:30 a.m. and forcibly removed
the families living there. The police closed the streets
around the building to traffic, and began the demolition
around 9:00 a.m.

PROMINENT PALESTINIANS CALL FOR PEACE, CRITICIZE ISRAEL
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5. (C) PolOff observed 50-100 Palestinians protesting in the
street near the demolition site and several prominent
Palestinians on-site speaking to the press. PA Presidential
Chief of Staff Rafiq Husseini said to press that Palestinians
should not allow Israeli actions to drag them into more
violence. Advisor to the Prime Minister Hatem Abd al-Qader
complained to PolOff that the police handled him roughly
while he was investigating the demolition. Grand Mufti
Muhammad Hussein told PolOff that home demolitions only serve
to radicalize the Palestinian population and Israel's actions
undermine peace discussions.



WALLES