Jerusalem Orders Demolition of Apartment Buildings in Arab Neighborhoods

The Jerusalem municipality has begun issuing demolition orders for buildings in East Jerusalem, where illegally-built homes have sprung up due to sparse regulation. The city says only 11 judicial demolition orders have been issued, but according to residents, in some cases one order relates to a number of buildings. Some of the buildings are nine- and 10-story apartment houses where dozens of families reside, which means that hundreds of people are at risk of losing their homes. However, due to diplomatic pressure, it is unlikely that the city will be able to carry out the orders.