On Jan. 14, 2003 residents from the Greek Orthodox Housing compound informed the Municipality that Israeli jeeps and troops are back in the area. Forcing their way into homes, soldiers began taking photographs of the 7 finished buildings, both from inside and out. The residents were then issued with another court order stating that a hearing has been set for February 18, to be held at the military court in Beit Eil.

On Jan. 14, 2003 residents from the Greek Orthodox Housing compound informed the Municipality that Israeli jeeps and troops are back in the area. Forcing their way into homes, soldiers began taking photographs of the 7 finished buildings, both from inside and out.  The residents were then issued with another court order stating that a hearing has been set for February 18, to be held at the military court in Beit Eil.

The army commander demanded to know why construction remains ongoing, telling residents that a court order was issued to stop all construction until the Supreme Court announced their ruling on the petition filed by the community last year.

The original court order was served in April, 2002. It stated that the 100 homes located on Jabal Diek are within area C and therefore subject to planning permission from the Israeli authority in Beit Eil.  Since then the case has been pending in the Israeli Supreme Court.  Many citizens who own an apartment there have already moved in, despite having little in the way of furniture etc. We feel that the more people living their increases our chance to stop the demolition. Around 32 families are now permanently resident in their apartments and 20 more are getting ready to move in.

This latest order is a serious development for us and we need urgent and immediate intervention from the international community to assist us in following up on the case and demanding a halt to the policy of home demolition. We need your help to lobby those with influence to stop the order which will destroy not only the buildings but also the dreams of so many young families.

The court hearing on Feb. 18, 2003 was postponed to unset date. 

Once I have more information about the case I will email you immediately with details.


Please, keep us in your prayers.

 

Suzan Sahori
International Public Relations Officer