Israel to build 1,400 new homes in territory claimed by Palestinians

Israel’s housing ministry said 800 new houses will be built in the West Bank and 600 in east Jerusalem.

JERUSALEM—Israel on Friday announced plans to build 1,400 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territory the Palestinians claim for their future state.

Even though it was no surprise, the announcement is likely to anger the Palestinians and could cast a shadow on the U.S.-led peace efforts.

Israel’s housing ministry said 800 new houses will be built in the West Bank and 600 in east Jerusalem.

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Israel prepares to free Palestinians, expand settlements

The statement had been expected after Israel released 26 long-serving Palestinian prisoners in late December, part of a deal made last summer when Israeli-Palestinian peace talks resumed. It was the third of four pledged prisoner releases.

A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, condemned the announcement, saying it undermines the “American efforts aimed at creating a peace track toward a two state solution.”

The announcement was initially expected earlier in January, but was postponed, apparently to avoid any coinciding with last week’s visit by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry who came in a fresh push to advance the negotiations. While Israel is not obligated to halt construction under the peace talks, Kerry has urged restraint and said the building raises questions about Israel’s commitment to peace.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously issued similar construction announcements to blunt hardline criticism at home of prisoner releases as many of those released were convicted of killing Israeli civilians and soldiers.

The new homes are planned in Ramat Shlomo, an enclave in east Jerusalem, and in various West Bank settlements.

The Palestinians demand those areas, captured by Israel from Jordan in the 1967 Mideast war, for their state. They had long refused to negotiate with Israel while settlement construction continued.

Since the peace talks resumed last summer, Israel has issued 5,500 tenders for new housing in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, said Yariv Oppenheimer of the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now.

It was a significant increase, compared to the annual average of between 2,000 and 3,000 in previous years.

The fate of the territory is a main focus in peace talks and a very sensitive issue for both sides.

Netanyahu faces tough opposition to relinquishing territory from critics within his government — many of whom cite its religious and historic significance for devout Jews, consider it the biblical Jewish heartland and heritage or are concerned over security issues.

Under U.S. pressure, the Palestinians agreed to resume talks last summer. The tradeoff seems to have been Israel’s acquiescence to release long-held Palestinian prisoners.

The release of the Palestinians, many jailed for grisly murders, is widely resented by Israelis who view the prisoners as terrorists.

“Releasing the prisoners was an immoral step that shouldn’t have happened,” said Isaac Herzog, chief of the opposition Labor Party. “The housing ministry’s announcement at the time of negotiations damages negotiations.”

Herzog said Netanyahu should have halted settlement construction rather than release the prisoners, and blamed hard-liners in the prime minister’s coalition for the move.

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God's Chosen Demolishinists

House demolitions: Zionism’s constant background noise

Hardly a day goes by without the State of Israel demolishing an Arab home between the Jordan River and the sea. The hum of bulldozers which is illegal under international laws  is the constant background noise of Zionism.

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Israel demolished 467 buildings and displaced 700 Palestinians in 2012

RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) demolished 10 Palestinian-owned structures in Area C of the West Bank this week, including five residential structures, displacing 32 Palestinians, including 14 children, according to a weekly report issued by the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs (OCHA). In a report covering the Israeli violations from august 29 to September 4, OCHA noted that Israel has demolished since the start of the current year 467 residential buildings and displaced 702 Palestinians during the same period. During the reporting week, 17 Palestinians, including four children, were injured by the IOF, mostly during protests. The settlers also carried out a number of attacks on Palestinian citizens and their property in the West Bank. Their attacks included racist slurs, arson attacks on agricultural lands and cars, throwing stones on vehicles.

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Israeli court backs demolition of 8 West Bank villages

AFP Photo / Hazem Bader

The Israeli Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the demolition of eight Palestinian villages on the West Bank. The Israeli Defense Ministry says it needs this land for military exercises and will displace some 1,500 Palestinians.

The Association of Civil Rights in Israel, which is representing the villagers in court, has until November to appeal the case or the villages will be destroyed, the Jerusalem Post reports.

The ACRI announced it plans to file a new petition adding that they believe the court’s decision is a technical one and allows a new case.

The state insists the villagers do not permanently reside in the villages and this provides grounds for their eviction from the territory.

The Israeli Defense Ministry intends to force locals to the city of Yatta where, the authorities claim, they have permanent homes.

The ACRI argues that the state neglects the fact that people live in the area for six consecutive months to cultivate the land.

Initially there were 12 villages Israeli authorities sought to raze in IDF Firing Zone 918. However, last month the state agreed to allow four of the villages to remain on their territory.

Zone 918, in the southern Mount Hebron region, covers an area of some 11.5 square miles (30 sq km). It is situated in Area C, the territory under full Israeli control, and is used by Israeli military for training including fire exercise.

According to a recent UN report, 45 per cent of demolitions of Palestinian-owned structures in Area C since 2010 have taken place in firing zones. This goes against the international law which prohibits forcing populations out of occupied territories. The UN has repeatedly expressed concerns over the demolitions in the West Bank.

The EU has also called on Israel not to demolish the villages. On Wednesday 15 EU missions visited Zone 918 to explore the situation in the area and issued a statement.

“The EU calls upon Israel to meet its obligations regarding the living conditions of the Palestinian population in Area C, by a policy shift entailing accelerated approval of Palestinian master plans, halting forced transfer of population and demolition of Palestinian housing,” the EU said in the statement.

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Walls Of Palestinian Homes Come Tumbling Down

 

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

Israel has dramatically increased its demolitions of unauthorized Palestinian homes in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, according to a recent United Nations report.

Last year, 1,100 Palestinians — more than half of them children — were displaced, an 80 percent increase from the previous year. And demolitions this year continue at a high rate.
For Sami Idriss, the Israeli bulldozers came while the 26-year-old Palestinian was at work.

"I came back and they were already tearing my house down," he says. Idriss says he pleaded with the workers, saying he hadn't received any notice or warning. He says they pushed him out of the building and continued to demolish his home.

Idriss says all of his savings went into the building. He was hoping to get married in three months but now he says he can't, because there is no place to take his bride.
Many buildings, in various stages of construction, surround the now empty lot in the predominantly Arab neighborhood of east Jerusalem where Idriss' house once stood.
A group of Palestinian men who are laying sewage pipes nearby say just as in Idriss' case, none of the other homes in the area have permits either.

Enlarge Ahmad Gharbali/AFP/Getty Images Palestinians collect their belongings after Israeli bulldozers raze their house in an Arab neighborhood in east Jerusalem on Feb. 9.

They decline to give their names for fear of reprisals.
The men say it's almost impossible to get a permit for a new building from the Israeli authorities.
The United Nations has come to a similar conclusion. It says more than 94 percent of all Palestinian permit applications have been rejected in recent years.

A Demographic War

Thousands of Arab homes have demolition orders against them in east Jerusalem and the West Bank's Area C — the Israeli-controlled portion of the territory that makes up more than 60 percent of the land.
The Israeli military recently handed over demolition orders to an entire Palestinian village in the Hebron hills. Among the 50 buildings slated for destruction is a school.
Yigal Palmor, an Israeli government spokesman, says Israel has the right to demolish illegal structures.
"There has been an increase because there has been an increase in illegal building," Palmor says. "In any state where there is an urban authority around the world, you can't just build wherever you like, whenever you like. You need a permit. If, at the end of the road, you don't follow the necessary legal procedures, then inevitably there will be demolition."

Palmor says Palestinians are entitled to permits, and that they probably don't get as many because they are too afraid to ask.

"What is true is that they may feel less comfortable with the Israeli authorities, in the psychological realm," he says. "That may very well be the case and maybe this is why they resort to building without permits."

Enlarge Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images Palestinian Motasem Farrah (center) and a friend tear down Farrah's home in an Arab neighborhood in east Jerusalem, March 12. Israel often tells Palestinians who build without permits that they must tear down the house themselves or they will be charged by Israel for the cost of knocking it down.

Ziad Hamouri, the head of the Palestinian Jerusalem Center for Socio-Economic Rights, disputes the Israeli narrative.
He says you only have to see how quickly Jewish settlements are expanding and how rapidly Palestinian homes are being destroyed to see there is an agenda.
"What we are facing is a real war. It's a demographic war against the Palestinians," Hamouri says. "[The Israelis] want to control east Jerusalem; [the Palestinians] are losing east Jerusalem."

Homes Destroyed By The Owner's Hands

Across town in the neighborhood of Sur Baher, another Palestinian home has been reduced to a pile of twisted metal and crumbled concrete. But this was not done by Israeli bulldozers.
Walid Adnan Bkairate is a construction worker building Jewish homes in Israel. After saving his money, he decided to use his know-how to build a small place for himself and his family on his father's land.
He says he tried to get a permit, but to no avail. With nowhere to live, he took a risk and built a home anyway.
The Israeli authorities took him to court, he says, and gave him an ultimatum: Either demolish his home himself or they would do it. If the Israelis did it, they would charge him nearly $40,000.
It's a sum he wouldn't have been able to pay, so after building his home, Bkairate says, he tore it down, brick by brick.
Bkairate says all he wanted was a home for his family. Now, even though he destroyed what he had built, the Israeli municipal authorities are still taking him to court over penalty fees. He says he has no money left and no way to pay them.

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Israel so cheap these days they force Palestinians to demolish their own homes

The Israeli authorities Tuesday forced four Palestinian families to demolish with their own hands their homes in Wadi al-Maleh area in the northern part of the occupied Jordan Valley as a prelude to evacuate the area from its Palestinian residents, according to a local activist.

Aref Daraghme, head of Wadi al-Maleh village council, said the Israeli authorities gave the families, which live in one area of the village, 24 hours to leave their homes and move somewhere else.

However, Israeli army units arrived at the area before the expiry of the warning period and forced the families to demolish their homes with their own hands.

He said the Israeli authorities had previously demolished a large number of Palestinian houses in the same area and prevented residents from working on their land. All of this is done for the benefit of illegal settlements in the Jordan valley, he said.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military Tuesday ordered a large number of Palestinian families to leave their homes in the Jordan Valley for a couple of days as the army prepares to carry out military maneuvers in the area.

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Homes destroyed, this time South Hebron Hills

Homes destroyed by IOF in Amnyir, South Hebron Hills

 | Christian Peacemaker Teams | | International Solidarity Movement

At 7:00 am on the morning of March 29th 2011 the Israeli military demolished the village of Amniyr , destroying seven tent dwellings and confiscating the remains. This is the second time in just over a month that the Israeli army has demolished the village. After the last demolition, villagers built new tent dwellings a few days later with the help of the Israeli human rights group Ta’ayush and the International Red Cross.

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Israel get ths in your head : Jerusalem … is not negotiable

In the heart of all realities in the Palestine / Israel context… and internationally even, Jerusalem is present. I would say …Jerusalem reflects all realities. Within the Christian Palestinian initiative of Kairos Palestine, Jerusalem is in the heart of the “Moment of Truth”.

You might hear slogans such as …Jerusalem is not just any city… It is not just a piece of land and some people… some poets may say: Jerusalem is a piece of sky… it is heavenly. And some faithful believe it is the chosen… it is the Holy city…but!! A question remains: How much God is present in Jerusalem today?

The reality today as seen by any ordinary Christian Palestinian; Jerusalem is a challenge after challenge after challenge. From losing residency right in Jerusalem when one is born in it… From discriminatory policies of the different ministries and the municipality … to restrictions on accessing its places of worship… From property demolition and confiscation… to high cost of living that drives you out to settle elsewhere…etc.

In Jerusalem, Demographic syndrome is the name of the game. Throughout history who ever controlled Jerusalem wanted to be the majority there. They used all kinds of policies to achieve this goal. All claimed ownership and many of them claims exclusivity. Today the Israeli government is speeding up on its policies where house demolition orders, residency cards confiscation, closures, and other discriminatory polices have risen dramatically. Some scenarios alerts that local Christians in the city will drop to 50 % in 6-7 years.

While Jerusalem should be the Peace, it is the central conflict… When it should be universal it is exclusive. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are holy days of the city. On Fridays Moslems pray in the streets!!!… if they are under 45 years of age. Christians and Moslems from the West Bank and Gaza are barred from the city. A whole generation of Palestinians did not visit the City. Half of the world population are not allowed visas to visit. On the other hand when Jews celebrate the “unification” of it!!! , Pesach, and all their other many feasts, all Palestinians should stay home!!!. This is the heart of the reality. Israel is in defiance of International law by first; it’s illegal annexation after 1967 and throughout the years via its racist driven policies and restrictions. Why a Russian or Ethiopian or American Jew can come to Jerusalem for the first time of his life and be a citizen within one week while my brother who is born in Jerusalem together with his wife and 3 children are not allowed back. Why my neighbor who had to live in Ramallah for the past 7 years cannot live back in Jerusalem. Why my other brother’s wife who comes from a well know Christian Jerusalemite family is being ordered out every 3 months? Why a Jew can claim property in occupied East Jerusalem and Palestinians can’t go back to their homes in West Jerusalem??? I pause these questions not because I have special cases. No… Every family in Jerusalem has similar cases.



To go back and take Jerusalem accordingly as we move through the Kairos document in the words of faith, hope and love… I say:

Through our faith as Christians we believe that Jerusalem is when Jesus made almost everything in it. For us Jerusalem is Jesus…agony, miracles, death and resurrection. His destiny and mandate was fulfilled there and by Him everything was fulfilled in Jerusalem at the end. He wept over Jerusalem and still does. Jerusalem did not accommodate Him and now his followers and his peace too.

With three religions and two people living in it .. The reasonable solution would be sharing it. The Heads of Churches in Jerusalem stand with this… Other religious leaders might also agree … as a matter of fact we only hear the voice of exclusivity from the politicians. Within the Kairos Palestine initiative I met about a dozen Jewish rabbis and scholars to discuss the “Moment of Truth” document and in all discussions, Jerusalem was never mentioned as a point of disagreement although what we encouraged and asserted there, is that Jerusalem should be Universal and that No religion should have exclusivity on it, thus it should be open to all. In this same context it is very surprising and annoying for Christians of Palestine to hear other Christian voices and interpretations going the opposite direction. Jerusalem is now illegally occupied and people are treated unjustly and this is a sin and all Christians should resist this sin not compliment it.

In our hope we remain strong. The small Christian community of 2000 years is still a small community today. Moslems are here too from hundreds of years and Jews from more than 3000 years. We remained all this time and we will stay. We will have a future and we believe that God is with us. So we are steadfast, firm and working to change the reality. This is our witness and in this we will not give in to evil. Signs of hope are there in Jerusalem too; Our survival is, our institutions serving the other are, our ecumenical relations locally and internationally are, our interfaith relations… and most importantly is our witness within the society. We witness with love against revenge, we witness for life and not death. This is obvious in our daily life dealings and even in our resistance… in advocacy … in non violent demonstrations, public relations and calls for BDS (Boycott , Divestment , and Sanctions).



Love is one of the most precious and difficult commandments. It makes us special as Christians. At least one of the Jewish Rabbis once said that to us” I envy the Christians because they have this very precious and special commandment”. Our teachings ask us to love everybody and resist the evil in them because of our love and because we want them to be free from sin and evil. There is no justice in Jerusalem today. The injustice and all the other policies of the illegal occupation are sins against God and humanity and we are asked to resist with love, with creativity in order that our enemy is free and our people become free too. Many means can be undertaken in this respect and we saw that from past experiences of the peoples on this earth BDS was one successful mean as an alternative to violent reactions and wars. And this is not done in revenge … but to speed up a solution and end the evil.

Our Jerusalem message…

To our brothers and sisters in our “Moment of truth” in our word of faith, hope and love we said .. If you are suffering I am suffering too. And we now speak out on your and my behalf… We witness this time for the truth … for the few of us here in Jerusalem we say: we will stay few as the salt of the earth but we have a role to play and it is not bridging between parties …it is resisting evil with love …



To our brothers and Sisters in the other Churches of this world we carry words of gratitude for your continuous support and the sharing in our suffering. Yes, many of you are sharing in our suffering , EAPPI , CPT , ISM, etc.. The Swedes who shared the Turks, and Arabs.. the Irish and others who were carrying humanitarian aid and carrying their lives on their hands as we saw what happened in front of the shores of Gaza lately … Thank you for supporting an ending to the evil in Jerusalem and Gaza. Thank you for not helping the prolonging of the agony and struggle. Here we say; don’t give aid when the aim is just to manage the crises… don’t give aid when the result is keeping the Palestinians fragmented. Don’t support biblical interpretations that show us a biased God because God is not.

To the international Community we say stop treating the peoples of the world in two categories… stop treating Israel above the law. A full range of sanctions should have been implemented long time ago. Israel is still in defiance and East Jerusalem is still illegally occupied and its People have daily sufferings. Use all non violent means to end this evil… end this occupation.

To the other, to the Muslim and Jew we say: Evil is in fanaticism, in racism in exclusivity, in ignorance… So teach our and your children to know the other and stop the talk about one religious state.. This suffocates democracy, justice and diversity with its beautiful values; It makes Jerusalem Un–Holy...

At the end… for me: Jerusalem is a piece of sky… it is the key to peace… You all belong in it…and it is not negotiable. Not negotiable.


By: Yusef Daher

(Within Kairos Palestine context in Sweden 5 June 2010)

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Zero Evictions for Palestinians, NOW

Appeal to International Solidarity Action

We, inhabitants’ associations, international networks, voluntary groups, NGOs, public agencies, citizens of the world, express our indignation at and denounce Israel’s continual policies of eviction and demolition carried out against the Palestinian people, both Palestinians ’48 (citizens of Israel) and Palestinians ’67 (in the Occupied Palestinian Territories). These demolitions and evictions clearly violate international law.

Subscribe the appeal Here !

Therefore, we condemn these violations and appeal to:

The Government of Israel:

• To immediately cease the demolition the homes of Palestinian citizens of Israel and, as an Occupying Power, the homes of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories;
• To integrate zoning and planning practices that suit the cultural and economic needs of all its citizens into national plans;
• To comply, as the Occupying Power, with the Fourth Geneva Convention and end the collective punishment employed through punitive demolitions;
• To end the occupation and withdraw from occupied Palestine instead of defending the status quo by using military actions that destroy thousands of homes, wreck havoc on the local urban infrastructure and greatly conscribe the future potential of Palestine;
• To end the evictions and settler takeovers of houses and land in East Jerusalem, Hebron and throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory;
• To end the confiscation of land from Palestinian citizens of Israel;
• To provide immediate reparation, including restitution of property, return of displaced persons, compensation, adequate alternative accommodation, rehabilitation, apology and guarantees for non-repetition to all the inhabitants, including tenants, affected by the demolitions who have lost their accommodation and/or personal belongings in the process, and who have become homeless and/or jobless as a result thereof.
• To provide a forum where the Governments of Israel and occupied Palestine, all the interested parties, including the recognized representatives of inhabitants’ associations, international networks, NGOs and public agencies, can agree with the interested communities on alternatives to the evictions, demolitions and land takeovers, and on the repatriation of people already evicted.

The United Nations, Russia, the European Union and the United States (The Quartet) and all the governments of the world:

• To publicly condemn the policies of eviction and demolition and settler takeover in démarches to the Israeli government and resolutions in the United Nations;
• To restrict the export to Israel of equipment used in demolitions until the Israeli government and military adequately implement policies respecting the housing rights of Palestinians, both citizens of Israel and those living under military occupation;
• To cease the upgrading of trade relations and restrict foreign aid until Israel’s policies towards Palestinians are brought into compliance with the Fourth Geneva Convention and the various universal declarations governing the responsibilities of Occupying Powers and the rights of indigenous peoples, minorities and all people;
• To use their influence to end the policies of demolition, eviction and land takeovers.

The United Nations (UN-Habitat):

• To ensure respect for international norms protecting the right to housing by sending an urgent independent mission of the Advisory Group on Forced Evictions (AGFE) to monitor and identify and to promote alternatives to the demolitions and evictions.

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just where are 60,000 whose homes are scheduled to be demolished supposed to go?

UN report: 60,000 Jerusalemites at risk of their homes being demolished

Palestinian Information Center

An Arabic poster distributed in Jerusalem which reads: Be ware! Your home may be next and lists the neighbourhoods threatened with demolitions OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- Sixty Thousand Palestinians living in occupied Jerusalem are at risk of their homes being demolished by Israeli occupation authorities according to a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The report notes that since the occupation of east Jerusalem by Israel in 1967 it has illegally annexed it, restricted Palestinian development and confiscated over one third of its area in favour of building Israeli settlements in violation of international humanitarian law. The report further states that "Only 13 percent of the annexed area is currently zoned by the Israeli authorities for Palestinian construction, within which Palestinians have the possibility of obtaining a building permit," and note that much of these areas are already built-up and obtaining a permit is complicated and expensive. Thus Palestinians are forced to build "on their land without a permit in order to meet their housing needs," the report said emphasizing that "At least 28 percent of all Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem have been built in violation of Israeli zoning requirements," which puts some 60,000 Palestinians in east Jerusalem at risk of their homes being demolished. "According to official statistics, between 2000 and 2008 alone, the Israeli authorities demolished more than 670 Palestinian-owned structures in East Jerusalem due to lack of permit. Of these, approximately 90 structures were demolished in 2008, displacing some 400 Palestinians," according to the report. Concern is expressed in the report about areas which face mass demolitions such as "Tel al Foul area in Beit Hanina, Khalet el 'Ein in At Tur, Al Abbasiya in Ath Thuri, and Wadi Yasul between Jabal al Mukabbir and Ath Thuri," which "affect a combined total of more than 3,600 persons." The report further states that this policy goes beyond east Jerusalem to include (Area C) in which Palestinian construction is severely limited. Finally the report calls on the Israeli occupation authority to "freeze all pending demolition orders and undertake planning that will address the Palestinian housing crisis in East Jerusalem," in addition to calling for supporting families whose homes were demolished and Palestinian communities attempting to challenge the Israeli occupation restrictions. Read the full report here

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Demolitions build Jerusalem tension

By Katya Adler BBC News, Jerusalem

Samia Ihdaidoon says she and her family were given five minutes to vacate their home

Five young children cling to their mother. All of them are crying. This morning, without warning, Israeli bulldozers came to destroy their home in Jabal Mukabar area of East Jerusalem.

Speaking amongst the mangled remains of her house, Samia Ihdaidoon says she was still sleeping when Israel's police arrived.

"They came pounding on the doors and climbed in through the bedroom window as if it was a raid.They said I had five minutes to put on my scarf and collect our valuables, then I had to get out. It's a shock for the children. Look at their faces. I'm in despair."

Israel says the Ihdaidoon's house was demolished because it was built illegally.

Angry neighbours congregate in the rubble.

We're not going to leave. Why should I leave for the Israelis? This is our land. Even if we have to put up a tent and live in it Samia Ihdaidoon

Osama Zahaika told us Israel makes it almost impossible for Palestinians to get building permits in East Jerusalem.

"As a Palestinian I know why they do it. Israel doesn't want us here. My house, most of the Palestinian houses in East Jerusalem are illegal. Not granting us construction permission, demolishing our houses. It's a form of quiet transfer," Mr Zahaika says.

"People like to talk of human rights. Where are human rights here? If you destroy a family home in winter, it's cold. In summer, it's hot. At the same time Israelis can build and live in East Jerusalem without being disturbed. Is it one rule for us, one rule for the Jews, the Israelis?"

More to come

Israel's Association for Civil Rights says Jerusalem's municipality uses planning regulations to curb Palestinian construction.

Although Palestinians make up an estimated one third of the Jerusalem population, according to ACRI, only 7.25% of the city's land is designated for their building projects.

KEY STORIES Eviction in battle for East Jerusalem Clinton concern over demolitions W Bank building 'bias' condemned Israel 'lax on demolition orders'

Hundreds of East Jerusalem Palestinians have lost their homes over the past few years, thanks to demolition orders.

Israeli NGO's, such as B'Tselem, warn that close to 2,000 could face the same fate over the next months.

If current demolition orders are carried out, this would be the largest loss of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem since Israel captured the territory just over 40 years ago.

At the same time, Jewish Israeli citizens are moving in to the area. This is illegal under international law as East Jerusalem is occupied territory, though Israel disputes this and has annexed the area.

Palestinians fear this could mean the end of a dream - to one day have East Jerusalem as the capital of their own state.

The international community's Middle East envoy Tony Blair told me this cannot be allowed to happen.

"The only two-state solution which will work is one that is fair and that will mean East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state. It will also mean that it is a state that is viable in terms of its territory."

'Hot air'

The issue of home demolitions is now attracting widespread international attention.

As we stood, hot and dusty, amongst the Ihdaidoon's rubble, four smart, shiny United Nations cars powered towards us.

Even if we are talking about a few buildings that have been pulled down, this is not expulsion. When there is illegal building, we have to enforce the law but nothing will be done without the co-operation of the residents. Naomi Tsur Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem

Robert Serry, the UN's Special Co-ordinator for the Middle East peace process, stepped out.

It was a surprise visit. He offered his sympathies to the family. They thanked him politely but asked for action, not just words.

Mr Serry said he'd spoken about the East Jerusalem demolitions to Israel's new right-wing government.

"Of course, if these kind of things which I'm now seeing here continue they will not help any peace process. I know how much Jerusalem is dear to many Israelis but it is also dear to Palestinians," Mr Serry said.

"We have to find a solution to that but we, as the international community, expect from the parties - in this case from the Jerusalem authorities here - not to make our work even harder."

New plan

At Jerusalem's municipality, the new Deputy Mayor, Naomi Tsur, said there was a lot of hot air surrounding the issue, that all Jerusalem residents are treated equally. Illegally built houses are demolished in West Jerusalem too.

The Ihdaidoon family have salvaged some of their belongings

"Even if we are talking about a few buildings that have been pulled down, this is not expulsion. When there is illegal building, we have to enforce the law but nothing will be done without the co-operation of the residents," Ms Tsur insists.

"Jerusalem is a city for all its citizens, north, south, east and west. No group that asks to meet myself or the mayor is refused.

"We are looking into affordable housing projects in east Jerusalem for young Muslim couples, young Christian couples. We have a new city plan. The first in Jerusalem since 1959."

Back at the Ihdaidoon's, father of the family, Amar, began replanting two trees uprooted by Israel's bulldozers almost as soon as they had left. He wants to rebuild the family home as soon as possible. Jerusalem, he told me, is Palestinian.

"We're not going to leave," his wife Samia insists. "Why should I leave for the Israelis? This is our land. Even if we have to put up a tent and live in it."

The Ihdaidoons have opted for quiet resistance but other Palestinians warn growing frustration in East Jerusalem could spark violence.

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Inside Story - Eviction in East Jerusalem

Inside Story looks at the eviction of 1500 Palestinians from East Jerusalem and the prospect for peace under Netanyahu's leadership.