Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JERUSALEM368
2008-02-28 15:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

ANOTHER HOME DEMOLITION IN EAST JERUSALEM

Tags:  KWBG PBTS PREL PHUM IS 
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VZCZCXRO9918
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #0368 0591542
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 281542Z FEB 08
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0732
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000368 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2018
TAGS: KWBG PBTS PREL PHUM IS
SUBJECT: ANOTHER HOME DEMOLITION IN EAST JERUSALEM


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

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000368

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2018
TAGS: KWBG PBTS PREL PHUM IS
SUBJECT: ANOTHER HOME DEMOLITION IN EAST JERUSALEM


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


1. (C) Summary: On February 27, PolOffs witnessed the
demolition of a Palestinian home in the East Jerusalem
neighborhood of Beit Hanina. Two bulldozers demolished a 60
square meter home in approximately 20 minutes. PolOffs
witnessed Israeli security personnel beat the homeowner's
brother during the operation. This demolition was the
twenty-second of a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem since
the Annapolis conference. End Summary.

Twenty Minutes, Two Bulldozers,
One Home, No Permit
--------------


2. (C) On February 27, PolOffs visited the Ashqariya
section of East Jerusalem's Beit Hanina neighborhood while
Israeli security personnel executed the demolition order of a
Palestinian home. By Post's count, this was the
twenty-second home demolition in East Jerusalem since the
November Annapolis conference. PolOffs observed Israeli
security forces set up checkpoints surrounding the perimeter
of the home and escort two bulldozers into the area. The
demolition lasted approximately 20 minutes.


3. (C) Located at the end of a dead end street in a densely
populated area, the home was owned and occupied by a
Palestinian in his late twenties who is married with two
children. Palestinians at the scene said the approximately 50
square meter home was built without a permit two years ago.
PolOffs saw no evidence of clothing or household items in the
rubble, which may indicate that the occupants had sufficient
warning to remove such items before the demolition.
Neighbors told PolOffs that they had no warning before the
demolition commenced and that many of them have standing
demolition orders against their homes.

Family and Neighbors
Protest Israeli Actions
--------------


4. (C) During the demolition, Israeli security personnel
kept PolOffs and neighbors at a distance, while others
watched from rooftops. The homeowner's two brothers bypassed
the security by motorcycle. Upon their arrival, Israeli
security personnel approached the driver and, after an
exchange of words, knocked him to the ground, and kicked him.
Security personnel removed the second brother's motorcycle
helmet and restrained both brothers during the demolition.
After the demolition, they detained the brother who was
driving the motorcycle.


5. (C) The shocked homeowner told PolOffs he had tried to
obtain a permit for the home and was surprised by the sudden
demolition. One Palestinian neighbor predicted the owner will
rebuild without permits. Another said "We were born here, we
only want to live our lives."

WALLES