Mayor freezes demolitions in East Jerusalem suburb for six months

Published: 21 February 2020

Last updated: 4 March 2024

Eight structures were demolished in Isawiyah in recent months, and orders were issued against dozens more. Freeze will delay demolitions for at least six months

JERUSALEM WILL FREEZE the demolition of homes in an East Jerusalem neighbourhood for six months in order to advance an urban master plan there, the municipality said Wednesday.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon made the decision after holding a series of meetings with local leaders in the Palestinian neighbourhood of Isawiyah over the past few weeks.

Eight structures were demolished in Isawiyah in recent months, and demolition orders were issued against dozens more. In addition, the owners of hundreds of buildings constructed without permits are paying heavy fines to postpone demolition.

The talks between Leon and local leadership in Isawiyah started at the beginning of the school year in September, after the neighbourhood’s parents’ committee threatened to call a school strike because of ongoing police raids.

FULL STORY Jerusalem mayor freezes house demolitions in restive Palestinian neighbourhood (Haaretz)

Photo: Entrance to East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Isawiyya (Ohad Zwigenberg)