JERUSALEM: Ratib Matar’s family was growing. They needed more space.
Before his granddaughters, now 4 and 5, were born, he built three apartments on an eastern slope overlooking Jerusalem’s ancient landscape. The 50-year-old construction contractor moved in with his brother, son, divorced daughter and their young kids — 11 people in all, plus a few geese.
But Matar was never at ease. At any moment, the Israeli code-enforcement officers could knock on his door and take everything away.
That moment came on Jan. 29, days after a Palestinian gunman killed seven people in east Jerusalem, the deadliest attack in the contested capital since 2008. Israel’s new far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called not only for the sealing of the assailant’s family home, but also the immediate demolition of dozens of Palestinian homes built without permits in east Jerusalem, among other punitive steps.
Mere hours after Ben-Gvir’s comments, the first bulldozers rumbled into Matar’s neighborhood of Jabal Mukaber.
For many Palestinians, the gathering pace of home demolitions is part of the new ultranationalist government’s broader battle for control of east Jerusalem, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war and claimed by the Palestinians as the capital of a future independent state.
The battle is waged with building permits and demolition orders — and it is one the Palestinians feel they cannot win. Israel says it is simply enforcing building regulations.
“Our construction is under siege from Israel,” Matar said. His brothers and sons lingered beside the ruins of their home, drinking bitter coffee and receiving visitors as though in mourning. “We try really hard to build, but in vain,” he said.
Last month, Israel demolished 39 Palestinian homes, structures and businesses in east Jerusalem, displacing over 50 people, according to the United Nations. That was more than a quarter of the total number of demolitions in 2022. Ben-Gvir posted a photo on Twitter of the bulldozers clawing at Matar’s home.
“We will fight terrorism with all the means at our disposal,” he wrote, though Matar’s home had nothing to do with the Palestinian shooting attacks.
Most Palestinian apartments in east Jerusalem were built without hard-to-get permits. A 2017 study by the UN described it as “virtually impossible” to secure them.
The Israeli municipality allocates scant land for Palestinian development, the report said, while facilitating the expansion of Israeli settlements. Little Palestinian property was registered before Israel annexed east Jerusalem in 1967, a move not internationally recognized.
Matar said the city rejected his building permit application twice because his area is not zoned for residential development. He’s now trying a third time.
The penalty for unauthorized building is often demolition. If families don’t tear their houses down themselves, the government charges them for the job. Matar is dreading his bill — he knows neighbors who paid over $20,000 to have their houses razed.
Now homeless, Matar and his family are staying with relatives. He vows to build again on land he inherited from his grandparents, though he has no faith in the Israeli legal system.
“They don’t want a single Palestinian in all of Jerusalem,” Matar said. Uphill, in the heart of his neighborhood, Israeli flags fluttered from dozens of apartments recently built for religious Jews.
Since 1967, the government has built 58,000 homes for Israelis in the eastern part of the city, and fewer than 600 for Palestinians, said Daniel Seidemann, an Israeli lawyer specializing in the geopolitics of Jerusalem, citing the government’s statistics bureau and his own analysis. In that time, the city’s Palestinian population has soared by 400 percent.
“The planning regime is dictated by the calculus of national struggle,” Seidemann said.
Israel’s city plans show state parks encircling the Old City, with some 60 percent of Jabal Mukaber zoned as green space, off-limits to Palestinian development. At least 20,000 Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem are now slated for demolition, watchdogs say.
Matar and his neighbors face an agonizing choice: Build illegally and live under constant threat of demolition, or leave their birthplace for the occupied West Bank, sacrificing Jerusalem residency rights that allow them to work and travel relatively freely throughout Israel.
While there are no reliable figures for permit approvals, the Israeli municipality set aside just over 7 percent of its 21,000 housing plans for Palestinian homes in 2019, reported Ir Amim, an anti-settlement advocacy group. Palestinians are nearly 40 percent of the city’s roughly 1 million people.
“This is the purpose of this policy,” said Aviv Tatarsky, a researcher at Ir Amim. “Palestinians are forced to leave Jerusalem.”
Arieh King, a Jerusalem deputy mayor and settler leader, acknowledged that demolitions help Israel entrench control over east Jerusalem, home to the city’s most important religious sites.
“It’s part of enforcing sovereignty,” King said. “I’m happy that at last we have a minister that understands,” he added, referring to Ben-Gvir.
Ben-Gvir is now pushing for the destruction of an apartment tower housing 100 people. Trying to lower tensions, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the eviction that was planned for Tuesday, Israeli media reported.
King contended it was possible for Palestinians to secure permits and accused them of building without authorization to avoid an expensive bureaucracy.
When the Al-Abasi family in east Jerusalem found a demolition order plastered on their new breeze-block home last month, they contemplated their options. The government had knocked down their last apartment, built on the same lot, eight years ago. This time, Jaafar Al-Abasi decided, he would tear it down himself.
Al-Abasi hired a tractor and invited his relatives and neighbors to join. The destruction took three days, with breaks for hummus and soda. His three sons borrowed pickaxes and jackhammers, angrily hacking away at the walls they had decorated with colored plates just last month.
“This place is like a ticking time bomb,” said his brother in law, 48-year-old Mustafa Samhouri, who helped them out.
Protests over the demolitions have roiled east Jerusalem in recent days. Two weekends ago, Samhouri said, the family’s 13-year-old cousin opened fire at Jewish settlers in the neighborhood of Silwan just across the valley, wounding two people before being shot and arrested.
“The pressure just grows more and more,” Samhouri said. “And at last, boom.”
Israel steps up Jerusalem home demolitions as violence rises
https://arab.news/yum9f
Israel steps up Jerusalem home demolitions as violence rises
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the immediate demolition of dozens of Palestinian homes built without permits in east Jerusalem
- For many Palestinians the pace of home demolitions is part of the new ultranationalist government’s broader battle for control of east Jerusalem
Jordanian, Irish foreign ministers discuss Gaza war in phone call
- The two ministers discussed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
- Safadi thanked Martin for his country's position on ceasefire and need for aid
AMMAN: Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi received a phone call from the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin on Thursday, Jordan News Agency reported.
The two ministers discussed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the prompt delivery of sufficient, sustainable aid to the enclave.
They also stressed the significance of implementing Security Council Resolution No. 2728, adopted on Tuesday, which called for a ceasefire during Ramadan.
Israel bombed at least four homes in Rafah on Wednesday, raising new fears of a long-threatened ground assault.
Safadi highlighted the necessity of upholding international law and humanitarian principles.
Talks also touched upon ongoing efforts to halt Israel’s offensive and address the resulting humanitarian crisis.
Both ministers reiterated their commitment to continued collaboration and joint efforts to facilitate aid into Gaza.
Safadi emphasized the importance of Ireland and other European nations officially recognizing the Palestinian state. He thanked Martin for his country's position on a ceasefire and need for aid, as well as its backing of the two-state solution.
Israel has laid siege to Gaza since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, cutting off food, fuel, water, and power supplies.
Judges at the International Court of Justice on Thursday unanimously ordered Israel to take all necessary action to ensure basic food supplies arrived without delay to the Palestinian population.
On Wednesday, Martin announced the Irish government would intervene in the case brought by South Africa, arguing that the restriction of essential goods in Gaza may constitute genocidal intent.
Shoukry reiterates Egypt’s objection to Rafah ground offensive in phone call with British FM
- Shoukry emphasized to Cameron that Egypt rejects any ground military operation in the Palestinian city of Rafah
- He warned of its grave humanitarian repercussions and its potential security impacts on the region’s stability
CAIRO: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip in a phone call.
Shoukry received Cameron’s call within the framework of consultation and coordination about the situation in the Gaza Strip and the necessary action to end the humanitarian crisis there.
The two sides exchanged assessments on the dire humanitarian and security conditions in the Gaza Strip and the regional and international action needed to achieve a ceasefire, swap detainees and deliver humanitarian aid in full to the Strip.
They stressed the necessity of ensuring the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2728 and building on it to reach a full and sustainable ceasefire.
The discussion addressed means of coordination between international and regional parties to halt the war in the Gaza Strip.
Shoukry affirmed that Egypt was continuing its efforts at all levels to facilitate reaching an agreement to enforce the truce in Gaza, leading to a permanent ceasefire in the Strip for the preservation of the lives of Palestinian civilians.
Shoukry assured his British counterpart of Egypt’s rejection of any ground military operation in the Palestinian city of Rafah, warning of its grave humanitarian repercussions and its potential security impacts on the region’s stability.
He also stressed the necessity of putting an end to Israeli policies and practices attempting to create an uninhabitable situation in the Gaza Strip, including indiscriminate targeting, starvation and collective punishment against Palestinian civilians.
Shoukry reiterated the rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians outside their territories and any attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause.
Shoukry and Cameron agreed to continue consultations during the coming period on the path toward curbing the crisis in the Gaza Strip and containing its repercussions.
Italian PM visits personnel engaged in UNIFIL mission in Lebanon
- Najib Mikati, Giorgia Meloni discuss efforts to reduce tensions in region as death toll from Israeli strikes rises
- Sirens sounded twice at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura while the Italian prime minister was in the south
BEIRUT: Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to fully implementing all international resolutions, especially UN Resolution 1701, approved in 2006 to resolve the war between Israel and Hezbollah that same year.
He also emphasized the need for Israel to implement these resolutions fully and to cease its attacks on Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Mikati made the remarks as he received visiting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Beirut.
On Thursday, Meloni inspected the Italian contingent at the headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, in the Chamaa village, and thanked the troops for their services.
The Italian contingent is one of southern Lebanon’s biggest UNIFIL military units.
Meloni’s visit lasted 24 hours, during which tensions flared significantly in southern Lebanon due to the latest military developments.
Sirens sounded twice at the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura while the Italian prime minister was in the south.
Chamaa Mayor Abdel Kader Safieddine said the visit was limited to “an internal military meeting with the head of the Italian unit and the major general of the Taurinense Alpine Brigade.”
He told Arab News: “No traditional reception arrangements were carried out due to the ongoing situation.”
Meloni’s talks with Mikati took place on Wednesday night.
According to a statement issued by his office, Mikati “reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to the full implementation of all international resolutions relating to the region and Lebanon, in particular UN Resolution 1701.”
Mikati recalled that Israel must also commit to the full implementation of UN resolutions and cease its land, sea, and air attacks against Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Both parties “expressed their satisfaction with UN Security Council Resolution 2728, which calls for a ceasefire in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan, hoping it would turn into a lasting ceasefire.”
Meloni’s arrival in Beirut on Wednesday night coincided with a bloody Israeli escalation.
The White House called on Israel and Lebanon to place a high priority on restoring calm as the death toll from Wednesday’s Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon climbed to 16, including several militants and members of paramedic groups.
“Restoring calm along that border remains a top priority for President Biden and for the administration and it has to be of utmost importance, we believe, as well for both Lebanon and Israel,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in Washington.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Ethan Goldrich arrived in Beirut and met with caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, accompanied by Ambassador Lisa Jones.
Goldrich emphasized “the need to support diplomatic initiatives to restore stability in the south and the region.”
Separately, Bou Habib assured the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka that “Lebanon will continue to push for the full implementation of Resolution 1701, as it is the optimal way to achieve the desired stability.”
The resolution calls for, among other things, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and the disarmament of armed groups, including Hezbollah.
The Israeli army committed two massacres in Naqoura and Tayr Harfa, following the Al-Habbaryeh massacre committed on the morning of the same day.
Hezbollah and the Amal Movement mourned the dead in statements issued on Thursday.
Several wounded people, including a woman, were transported to hospitals in the city of Tyre for treatment, where courtyards were filled with locals and blood donors.
Hezbollah responded to the Israeli attacks on Thursday morning by targeting “the settlements of Goren and Shlomi with missile and artillery fire.”
The group said it targeted the newly established headquarters of the Liman Battalion with artillery shells.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corp. quoted an Israeli official as saying that “the Israeli army will enter Lebanon after the completion of the Rafah operation.”
Israeli Northern Command Chief Uri Gordin announced on Wednesday that “Israeli forces are ready to act on the Lebanese border.”
British minister discusses Gaza with Arab League chief, Egyptian foreign minister in Cairo
- League’s secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, thanks Lord Tariq Ahmad for UK’s support in vote on UN Security Council ceasefire resolution this week
- Ahmad and Egypt’s foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, discuss ways in which their countries can work together to ensure greater amounts of aid reach the people of Gaza
LONDON: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit held talks in Cairo on Thursday with the British minister of state for the Middle East and North Africa, Lord Tariq Ahmad, about the conflict in Gaza.
Aboul Gheit thanked the UK for its “supportive vote” this week in favor of a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory, his spokesperson Gamal Roshdy said.
The secretary-general also called for the urgent implementation of the resolution on the ground to halt the Israeli military campaign, and underscored the “critical necessity of immediate humanitarian aid access to Gaza” to alleviate the dire crisis and famine affecting the people there.
“Aboul Gheit highlighted the significance of unified diplomatic endeavors, post military cessation, to capitalize on the UN Security Council’s resolution, aiming at achieving stability and outlining a political pathway toward the establishment of a Palestinian state,” Roshdy added.
Ahmad was in agreement about the important need to enact the UN resolution and deliver aid to Gaza using land routes, Roshdy said.
The British minister, who was making his third official visit to Egypt since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel, also met the Egyptian foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, to discuss ways in which their countries can work together to ensure greater amounts of lifesaving aid reach Palestinians in Gaza.
In a message posted on social media platform X, Ahmad wrote: “Pleased to meet my good friend, Foreign Minister Shoukry, during Ramadan in Cairo. We discussed the need for full implementation of (the UN Security Council resolution) to get more lifesaving aid into Gaza, get hostages out, and provide an irreversible pathway to” a two-state solution.”
He added: “Egypt is a vital partner, and boosting UK-Egypt ties will enable our nations to work towards a shared goal — bringing greater stability to the region. As my visit coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, I am also looking forward to celebrating Egypt’s unique culture.”
Arab League chief highlights need for Palestinian reconciliation in talks with Fatah delegation
- Spotlight on importance of prioritizing ceasefire, facilitating aid to Gaza
- Aboul Gheit emphasized the urgency of swiftly moving toward a political settlement that would pave the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state
CAIRO: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has emphasized the importance of pursuing all possible avenues to achieve Palestinian reconciliation.
He spoke as he welcomed a high-level delegation from the Palestinian Fatah movement in Cairo.
The talks followed the delegation’s separate meeting with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.
Aboul Gheit also stressed the importance of prioritizing a ceasefire and facilitating the delivery of aid to Gaza.
He emphasized the urgency of swiftly moving toward a political settlement that would pave the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Aboul Gheit said that the Palestinian National Movement served as an overarching platform for all factions, adding that Fatah had played an undeniable role in the Palestinian struggle over the decades.
He reiterated that unity among Palestinian ranks was indispensable for realizing the vision of a Palestinian state.
The Fatah delegation included Mahmoud Al-Aloul, the movement’s vice president; Rawhi Fattouh, the president of the Palestinian National Council; and Azzam Al-Ahmad and Samir Al-Rifai, members of Fatah’s Central Committee.
Jamal Rushdi, a spokesperson for Aboul Gheit, said that the secretary-general had listened to a presentation by Fatah leaders on the latest developments in the region.
Discussions centered on the war against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and the violence faced by Palestinians by occupation forces and armed extremist settlers in the West Bank.
The Arab League’s chief stressed the role of the Palestinian Authority and Fatah in the struggle and spoke of the need to end the geographical and political division that had plagued Palestinians since 2007.
Aboul Gheit listened to the leaders and their strategies to bolster Palestinian resilience on their land, whether in the West Bank or Gaza.
He conveyed the Arab League’s unwavering support for the Palestinian Authority’s endeavors to harness global momentum in advocating for Palestinian rights.
He added that the Gaza catastrophe had revealed unimaginable brutality and a stark absence of humanity, which had elicited shock from conscientious people worldwide.
Aboul Gheit insisted that the world was now convinced of the inevitability of Palestinians achieving their right to self-determination and establishing an independent state.
This conviction contrasted sharply with previous notions that the Palestinian issue could be managed through “economic peace.”
Aboul Gheit spoke of the Arab League’s vision with the delegation, based on recent engagements with influential international actors close to recognizing the Palestinian state.
He stressed that the correct approach to negotiating a final settlement was to recognize statehood and attain permanent membership in the UN.