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A Palestinian boy sitting near his family's belongings after the demolition of their home in the Jabal Mukkaber neighborhood in East Jerusalem.
 (Reuters)
Last update - 02:38 02/05/2009
UN: Israel must freeze East Jerusalem home demolitions
By Akiva Eldar
Tags: demolitions, Israel news 

The United Nations is demanding that Israel freeze all pending demolition orders against Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem.

The orders were issued because the homes were built illegally. But a new report by the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that Palestinians face serious obstacles in building legally, as only 13 percent of East Jerusalem is zoned for Palestinian construction, while Jewish "settlements" occupy 35 percent of East Jerusalem, "in violation of international law."

The difficulty of building legally is what leads many Palestinians to build illegally, it said.
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The report said the houses of some 60,000 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem are at risk of being demolished. Moreover, it said, lack of proper planning and investment mean that Palestinian neighborhoods are overcrowded and suffer from inadequate infrastructure.

The situation has become even worse in recent years, because construction of the separation fence led many Palestinians who were living east of the fence to move to East Jerusalem to avoid being cut off from the city.

According to data received from the Jerusalem municipality, the number of Palestinian requests for building permits submitted each year more than doubled, from 2003 to 2007, rising from 138 to 283, the report said.

However, the number of permits granted remained unchanged, at about 100 to 150 per year.

House demolitions are not limited to East Jerusalem, the report noted: Israel destroys hundreds of Palestinian buildings elsewhere in the West Bank every year on the grounds that they were built illegally.

These demolitions take place in what the Oslo Accords term Area C, which is the area where Israel retains full civil as well as military control. Area C covers about 60 percent of the West Bank.

In the first quarter of 2009, the report said, Israel demolished 25 Palestinian buildings, including nine in the E1 corridor between Ma'aleh Adumim and Jerusalem. These resulted in the eviction of 46 people, including 30 children.

Altogether, some 3,000 demolition orders are pending against Palestinian buildings in Area C, the report said. It noted that between 2000 and 2007, Israel's Civil Administration in the West Bank rejected 94 percent of all Palestinian requests for building permits in Area C.

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      1.   I want to build in front of the Royal Palace and UN`ll support me 02:44  |  Absolute Sweden 01/05/09
      2.   How sad they cant even build on their own land 03:23  |  David 01/05/09
      3.   Israeli colonialism! 03:28  |  Le Corbeau 01/05/09
      4.   query 03:32  |  potobac 01/05/09
      5.   How many Court Orders Israel have to answer ? 03:51  |  Akram Zekaria 01/05/09
      6.   Barak will now Claim that Israeli Jews are the Most Moral People 04:03  |  Monitor 01/05/09
      7.   Le Corbeau on Anonymity, Crows, and Racism 04:09  |  Fish 01/05/09
      8.   David does not wonder anymore 04:18  |  Fish 01/05/09
      9.   # 3 04:31  |  oz 01/05/09
      10.   3~ Cobeau : Correction ! 04:48  |  Akram Zekaria 01/05/09
      11.   Leave it to the French 05:03  |  Sean 01/05/09
      12.   # 3. Aaaah... It i a crow...? And a french one... 05:06  |  French reformer... 01/05/09
      13.   #1 Actually, Absolute Sweden, that isn`t the correct analogy 05:24  |  Johnboy 01/05/09
      14.   Screw the UN 05:29  |  Mark Lincoln 01/05/09
      15.   Building permits, zoning, title, taxes 05:34  |  RfaelMoshe 01/05/09
      16.   #5 Answer me this, Akram.... 05:35  |  Johnboy 01/05/09
      17.   What does the UN have to say about putting a man to death by the 05:36  |  Amirah 01/05/09
      18.   the next Miss France might be Muslim 05:43  |  Eddie Harris 01/05/09
      19.   David in San Rafel: You don`t cry for evicted Jews 06:12  |  No dope 01/05/09
      20.   Le Corbeau 06:14  |  No Dope 01/05/09
      21.   potopbac 06:24  |  No Dope 01/05/09
      22.   The obvious question are: 06:31  |  Esther 01/05/09
      23.   Le Corbeau 06:34  |  Brad 01/05/09
      24.   Just one of many examples of Israeli "structural violense" 06:35  |  jim the mechanic 01/05/09
      25.   Johnboy`s analogy 06:35  |  No Dope 01/05/09
      26.   Demands? 06:36  |  Chana 01/05/09
      27.   John Boy 06:37  |  Brad 01/05/09
      28.   How many percent of Palestine is zoned for Jewish construction? 06:41  |  Abdul 01/05/09
      29.   Johnboy you are absolutely right, as usual! 07:43  |  Hannah 01/05/09
      30.   Jerusalem is Israel`s capital city. Its municipal government must 07:56  |  Reut 01/05/09
      31.   Settlements 08:51  |  Matthew Houston 01/05/09
      32.   No dope or dope? 09:07  |  Had enough 01/05/09
      33.   its not only alice in wonderland !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 09:09  |  v hardman 01/05/09
      34.   To "No Dope" and the rest 09:11  |  David 01/05/09
      35.   God willing, next year all of Jerusalem 09:18  |  LNRD 01/05/09
      36.   Israel has zoning to say where Palestininians can live? 09:31  |  Tony 01/05/09
      37.   Stop the nonsense 09:45  |  Baruch Gold 01/05/09
      38.   no dope 21 10:33  |  potobac 01/05/09
      39.   16`Johnboy First put all the questions you asked me .. 10:41  |  Akram Zekaria 01/05/09
      40.   Law? what law? #35 10:42  |  ashamed 01/05/09
      41.   UN = terrorist organization that should be thrown out of NY! 10:51  |  Fact 01/05/09
      42.   to Mark Lincoln-14 Thank you for your support . 11:07  |  Akram Zekaria 01/05/09
      43.   Israel need to leave the UN or 11:09  |  jennifer 01/05/09
      44.   Arrogant arabs and muslims 11:18  |  No Dope 01/05/09
      45.   Johnboy,Jlem has a Royal Palace,unfinished by the late King Husse 11:25  |  Absolute Sweden 01/05/09
      46.   Tony--they are lying through their teeth 11:30  |  No Dope 01/05/09
      47.   @34, tony 11:38  |  vladimir 01/05/09
      48.   David in San Rafael: seeker of Justice 11:54  |  No Dope 01/05/09
      49.   #15 I beg your pardon, RfaelMoshe? 11:54  |  Johnboy 01/05/09
      50.   Tony # 34 Palestinians Are Not Israeli Citizens 12:05  |  Jeff Northridge 01/05/09
      51.   #27 Brad. 12:21  |  Johnboy 01/05/09
      52.   Had Enough 12:24  |  No Dope 01/05/09
      53.   jennifer # 37 Maybe The UN Should Dissolve Itself 12:50  |  Jeff Northridge 01/05/09
      54.   The UN wants to see Israel finally getting rid of her..... 13:22  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/05/09
      55.   No Dope #45 to Tony. You are telling lies 13:53  |  Roo 01/05/09
      56.   Johnboy # 48 The UN`s Attitude 14:39  |  Jeff Northridge 01/05/09
      57.   Demolishing illegal homes is right 14:45  |  Brod 01/05/09
      58.   54`~Swiss (Dino) The UN never ask any Arab Countries 15:06  |  Akram Zekaria 01/05/09
      59.   East Jerusalem home demolitions 15:47  |  WHG 01/05/09
      60.   UN should mind its own damn business....... 15:47  |  Ben 01/05/09
      61.   Joinboy and addiction to inapplicable documents 18:28  |  17 01/05/09
      62.   Roo # 55 That Is A Different Matter 18:36  |  Jeff Northridge 01/05/09
      63.   Brod #57 a couple of questions 18:42  |  Roo 01/05/09
      64.   ben 60 18:42  |  potobac 01/05/09
      65.   House demolitions 18:45  |  JH 01/05/09
      66.   Ben & Jeff 19:23  |  jennifer 01/05/09
      67.   UN has no Right 20:18  |  Roman 01/05/09
      68.   Brod/57 20:32  |  Deacon2 01/05/09
      69.   #60 Ben UN should mind it`s own damn business 21:15  |  alan 01/05/09
      70.   No Johnyboy, not even close 21:20  |  RfaelMoshe 01/05/09
      71.   Jeff Northridge #50: Residents were not given citizenship? 21:25  |  Tony Rogers 01/05/09
      72.   United Nations 22:22  |  Unchel Ben Joseph 01/05/09
      73.   Akram Zekaria - Jewish graves?You`re kidding 22:25  |  Don 01/05/09
      74.   Tony Rogers #70 correction 22:37  |  Gee 01/05/09
      75.   The UN is a structure of Bricks & Mortar with a lot of Steel ! 22:38  |  Akram Zekaria 01/05/09
      76.   Potobac - All the houses of the Gaza Settlers were destroyed 22:40  |  Reid 01/05/09
      77.   Another question re citizenship of East Jerusalem residents 22:47  |  Tony Rogers 01/05/09
      78.   Religious extremism 23:04  |  Mohammad 01/05/09
      79.   Demolish the wall 23:47  |  Rob 01/05/09
      80.   Howdy Jeff Northridge 23:52  |  gly 01/05/09
      81.   I Wanted To Build A Church In Saudi Arabia But Was Informed It`s 23:56  |  Laguna Geno 01/05/09
      82.   The UN does not exist 01:23  |  Mark B. 02/05/09
      83.   Demolition 01:53  |  Daniel W 02/05/09
      84.   As soon as Hamas Recognizes Israel 01:56  |  Brad 02/05/09
      85.   #62 Jeff Northridge pray tell 02:21  |  Roo 02/05/09
      86.   Does any poster here live in an area where... 02:35  |  Jasper 02/05/09
      87.   #2 David 03:03  |  John Allen 02/05/09
      88.   gly # 79 My Answer 03:36  |  Jeff Northridge 02/05/09
      89.   Israeli violation of UNSCR242 03:57  |  Le Corbeau 02/05/09
      90.   Israeli violation of UNSCR242 04:00  |  Le Corbeau 02/05/09
      91.   Akram to Johnboy 04:20  |  kiwi girl 02/05/09
      92.   82, Daniel,Business between Israelis and Pals 04:20  |  MB 02/05/09
      93.   #70 Yes, exactly so, Tony Rogers 05:22  |  Johnboy 02/05/09
      94.   #80 Think about it a bit more carefully, Laguna Geno 05:48  |  Johnboy 02/05/09
      95.   Jasper, can I build a barn on your land? 06:22  |  BBSNews 02/05/09
      96.   Tony Rogers please keep that undertone factual delivery... 06:41  |  BBSNews 02/05/09
      97.   Islamic interest in the Temple Mount starts in 1967. 07:45  |  Jean Van Daem 02/05/09
      98.   BBS and all the rest of the BS 07:49  |  No Dope 02/05/09
      99.   #92 what land michael and where is it registered ?/ 08:29  |  v hardman 02/05/09
      100.   baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad karma 08:40  |  sal 02/05/09
      101.   John Boy the Aussie Digger 08:51  |  A Salam 02/05/09
      102.   #81 I wanted to Build 09:05  |  A Salam 02/05/09
      103.   73"Don:For the Palestinians this conflict is just a business game 09:05  |  Akram Zekaria 02/05/09
      104.   So East Jerusalem is not in Israel?Then the UN has no authority 09:06  |  Abdul 02/05/09
      105.   89~ Kiwi girl* - "It may be referred in religious books". 09:43  |  Akram Zekaria 02/05/09
      106.   There is a word for this 12:14  |  American Patriot 02/05/09
      107.   #101 A Salam throws down the gauntlet 13:08  |  Johnboy 02/05/09
      108.   #97 Jean Van Daem; NONESENSE! Read some history books please and 13:14  |  JustMe 02/05/09
      109.   Its very simple really 13:15  |  Joe 02/05/09
      110.   #104 A logic-impaired argument, Abdul 13:18  |  Johnboy 02/05/09
      111.   nice try 13:26  |  doubt 02/05/09
      112.   # Johnboy pulling last hair out in a desperate attempt to show il 14:22  |  Darth Zaider (Ed) 02/05/09
      113.   Israel 14:35  |  jerry 02/05/09
      114.   Greed Is The Game! 14:38  |  Cool B 02/05/09
      115.   Le Corbeau # 90 I Have Read UNSCR 242 15:26  |  Jeff Northridge 02/05/09
      116.   East Jerusalem Palestinian Capital 18:19  |  Armand 02/05/09
      117.   To Cool B 18:51  |  Anna 02/05/09
      118.   un 19:51  |  debra 02/05/09
      119.   Brad 20:07  |  joan 02/05/09
      120.   Jeff 20:14  |  joan 02/05/09
      121.   Israeli Arabs given the run around when they apply for permit! .. 21:51  |  lawyer 02/05/09
      122.   #101 A Salam. Where did your... 23:01  |  Maureen Ann 02/05/09
      123.   joan #120 the Guardian lies 23:43  |  Gee 02/05/09
      124.   is annexation ever legal? 00:36  |  luka 03/05/09
      125.   Johnboy 01:57  |  Ben 03/05/09
      126.   89 04:03  |  zionist forever 03/05/09
      127.   It should be settlers homes that are demolished not Palestinians 04:21  |  Dutch 03/05/09
      128.   This action invalidates giving Israelis a homeland 06:20  |  Dutch 03/05/09
      129.   UN is right! Stop! 07:02  |  hipolito 03/05/09
      130.   #115 Not true, Jeff Northridge. 07:49  |  Johnboy 03/05/09
      131.   Dutch #122 far too late and none of your business 08:01  |  Gee 03/05/09
      132.   #115 But you take it too far, Jeffie 08:13  |  Johnboy 03/05/09
      133.   3 09:46  |  zionist forever 03/05/09
      134.   #122 You are a very foolish man, Ben 14:06  |  Johnboy 03/05/09
      135.   Johnboy struggling with own arguments. 15:54  |  Abdul 03/05/09
      136.   Johnboy 17:25  |  Ben 03/05/09
      137.   #128 Abdul doesn`t seem to comprehend the concept... 02:13  |  Johnboy 04/05/09
      138.   #129 Ben seems not to understand the point 02:23  |  Johnboy 04/05/09
      139.   #112 3rd try to respond to Darth 02:30  |  Johnboy 04/05/09
      140.   And Johnboy still doesn`t know how to reply.... 08:32  |  Abdul 04/05/09
      141.   nd Johnboy still doesn`t know how to reply.... 09:36  |  Abdul 04/05/09
      142.   #133 Where this obstinate idiot`s argument goes "thud" 12:15  |  Johnboy 04/05/09
      143.   #134 Oh, may as well reply to this nonsese too 12:23  |  Johnboy 04/05/09
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