Monday, 14/8/2000-Israeli authorities demolished two Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem, bringing this year’s total to 10 (this is in addition to the 13 homes already destroyed in the West Bank this year).

Israel’s housing policy towards Palestinian residents of east Jerusalem makes it almost impossible for them to obtain the required permit for construction, leaving them with no choice but to take the risk of building regardless of the consequences. Israel’s discriminatory policy has left thousands of Palestinians “homeless” across the occupied Palestinian territories. In the name of the “law,” Israel aims to drive Palestinians out of Jerusalem, by putting severe pressures on their demographic and territorial freedom. (For more details, please refer to our Fact Sheet on Home Demolition).

It seems ironic that, at a time when world attention is focused on the prospects of putting an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Israel’s mentality as an “occupier” is unchanged. This raises countless questions as to whether Israel is seriously committed to peace. The coming months are unquestionably crucial for the fate of the region’s longing for peace and stability, yet serious concerns are raised as the policies of systematic ethnic cleansing haunt Israeli decision makers.