On Tuesday, Israel bulldozed a Palestinian business in the Silwan neighborhood of East Jerusalem, sparking clashes between police and protesters who accused authorities of discriminatory building permit enforcement in the holy city.
Palestinians want a future state in East Jerusalem, which Israel took in a 1967 conflict. Israel considers all of Jerusalem to be its capital — a stance that is not recognized internationally – and has pushed for Jewish settlement in primarily Palestinian regions.
Harbi Rajabi's butcher shop in the neighborhood, which is overshadowed by the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest place in Islam and the most sensitive location in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was leveled by a bulldozer escorted by Israeli police.
Residents said at least eight structures were set for demolition, including the shop. Many of the locals claim to have lived there for decades, even before 1967. The property has been set aside for a park, and the authorities claim that the businesses and homes were constructed illegally.
The butchers' owner, Mahmoud Basit, told Reuters that 14 family members relied on their earnings. “We have no other way to support our families,” Basit said, adding that he would have to start over looking for work.
Deputy Jerusalem Mayor Arieh King claimed demolition orders had been issued for "around 20" buildings in Silwan, which Israel refers to by its Hebrew name Shiloach. He told Reuters that another 60 structures were in contravention of Israeli zoning restrictions.
Palestinians in Silwan claim that obtaining building permits is nearly hard. The demolitions, they believe, are intended to push them out of Jerusalem. King refuted this, claiming that the municipality has permitted the construction of hundreds of additional Palestinian homes in Silwan.
According to Palestinian medics, 13 individuals were hurt in the clashes in Silwan on Tuesday. Stone-throwers injured two cops, and three persons were arrested for disorderly conduct and assault, according to police.
Palestinians have been given until June 28 to destroy the structures themselves, according to the municipality. The land would be cleared to make space for the park and public facilities, King said, adding that Silwan was "an important historical site" because of its biblical ties.
Nader Abu Diab, who was also served with a demolition notice, lives in constant fear of municipal inspectors knocking on his door.
“My grandchildren ask me questions to which I am unable to respond. They're just kids. I'm not sure what I can say to them. That our house is going to be demolished?” Abu Diab, a 55-year-old man, stated.
Fakhri Abu Diab, his brother, said he applied seven times for an Israeli license to enlarge his Silwan home, but "it was always denied." He went on to say that if the present series of demolitions continue, over a hundred Palestinians could be displaced.
The future of Sheikh Jarrah, another East Jerusalem neighborhood, was one of the flashpoints in last month's conflict between Israel and Palestinian terrorists.
