Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JERUSALEM2036
2008-11-13 15:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
IDF DEMOLISHES TWO WEST BANK HOUSES FOR LACK OF
how-toVZCZCXRO0152 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #2036 3181551 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 131551Z NOV 08 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3234 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002036
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2018
TAGS: PREL PBTS PHUM KWBG KPAL IS
SUBJECT: IDF DEMOLISHES TWO WEST BANK HOUSES FOR LACK OF
PERMITS
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002036
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2018
TAGS: PREL PBTS PHUM KWBG KPAL IS
SUBJECT: IDF DEMOLISHES TWO WEST BANK HOUSES FOR LACK OF
PERMITS
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (SBU) Summary. Palestinian contacts confirmed that the
IDF demolished two Palestinian houses in Shuqba village, west
of Ramallah, November 12, on the grounds that they lacked
building permits. These are the first demolitions of
permanent residential structures in the West Bank since the
GoI committed in March 2008 not to demolish homes in Area C.
End summary.
2. (SBU) Palestinian contacts confirmed press reporting that
the IDF demolished two Palestinian houses in Shuqba village,
west of Ramallah, November 12 for lack of building permits.
Although most of Shuqba is in area B, the demolished houses
were outside of the village plan, in area C. The demolitions
displaced two families (nineteen adults and children). IDF
soldiers also delivered demolition orders for five additional
structures in the village, including a brick factory and
animal pen. (Note: Shuqba is a relatively isolated village,
several kilometers south of the settlement of Ofarim and
north of Nili settlement. Route 446, used both by settlers
and Palestinians, passes close to the village's eastern edge.
End Note.)
3. (C) Village council member Bassem Shalash told POLOFF
November 13 that the demolished houses were built three and
eight years ago, respectively. He said they were at the
village's northern edge, but were not the closest houses to
the road or settlement. He said the IDF had cited the lack
of building permits as the basis for demolitions, but noted
that the current master plan restricts the village's ability
to expand legally.
4. (C) Comment. These demolitions represent a clear
resumption of GoI demolition activity in the West Bank.
Other demolitions by the IDF in recent weeks have been
explained by the GoI as necessary for security and have
targeted seasonal residences and non-residential structures.
This week's home demolitions in Shuqba are the first
demolitions of permanent residential structures, and the
first ostensibly undertaken for lack of building permits, in
the West Bank since the GoI committed in March 2008 not to
execute demolitions in area C. End comment.
WALLES
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2018
TAGS: PREL PBTS PHUM KWBG KPAL IS
SUBJECT: IDF DEMOLISHES TWO WEST BANK HOUSES FOR LACK OF
PERMITS
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (SBU) Summary. Palestinian contacts confirmed that the
IDF demolished two Palestinian houses in Shuqba village, west
of Ramallah, November 12, on the grounds that they lacked
building permits. These are the first demolitions of
permanent residential structures in the West Bank since the
GoI committed in March 2008 not to demolish homes in Area C.
End summary.
2. (SBU) Palestinian contacts confirmed press reporting that
the IDF demolished two Palestinian houses in Shuqba village,
west of Ramallah, November 12 for lack of building permits.
Although most of Shuqba is in area B, the demolished houses
were outside of the village plan, in area C. The demolitions
displaced two families (nineteen adults and children). IDF
soldiers also delivered demolition orders for five additional
structures in the village, including a brick factory and
animal pen. (Note: Shuqba is a relatively isolated village,
several kilometers south of the settlement of Ofarim and
north of Nili settlement. Route 446, used both by settlers
and Palestinians, passes close to the village's eastern edge.
End Note.)
3. (C) Village council member Bassem Shalash told POLOFF
November 13 that the demolished houses were built three and
eight years ago, respectively. He said they were at the
village's northern edge, but were not the closest houses to
the road or settlement. He said the IDF had cited the lack
of building permits as the basis for demolitions, but noted
that the current master plan restricts the village's ability
to expand legally.
4. (C) Comment. These demolitions represent a clear
resumption of GoI demolition activity in the West Bank.
Other demolitions by the IDF in recent weeks have been
explained by the GoI as necessary for security and have
targeted seasonal residences and non-residential structures.
This week's home demolitions in Shuqba are the first
demolitions of permanent residential structures, and the
first ostensibly undertaken for lack of building permits, in
the West Bank since the GoI committed in March 2008 not to
execute demolitions in area C. End comment.
WALLES