PLO warns against Israeli policy of “ethnic cleansing”, calls on Arab states to “stop all types of normalization" with Israel
“The PLO Executive Committee warned against the policy of ethnic cleansing that the Israeli occupation state is implementing, particularly in Jerusalem and its surroundings, including taking over the properties of the churches [and] damaging the residential buildings in the Wadi Al-Hummus neighborhood (located in the Sur Baher neighborhood of Jerusalem –Ed.) after the Israeli Supreme Court approved the decision ruling to demolish 16 residential buildings containing 100 apartments, which are located – according to the agreements that were signed between the two sides – within Area A belonging to the Palestinian Authority (the buildings were built illegally in proximity to the security fence; see note below –Ed.)…
The Executive Committee repeated its call on all relevant Arab states to stop all types of normalization with the Israeli occupation state, and emphasized the need to honor their commitments that are explicitly noted in the Arab Peace Initiative and their commitments to the boycott regulations determined by the Arab League.”
Demolition of illegal buildings in Wadi Al-Hummus, Jerusalem – Israeli authorities demolished a number of Arab structures on July 22, 2019 that were illegally built adjacent to the security fence in the Wadi Al-Hummus area of Jerusalem's Sur Baher neighborhood. While the original path of the security fence was planned to leave the area where the structures were built on its eastern side, contiguous with other areas under PA administrative control, the path was changed at the request of the Palestinians. The demolished structures did not exist when the security fence was built (2004-2005), and they were built in breach of a specific security based prohibition. The process to demolish the structures was initiated in 2011, and in accordance with Israeli law and practice the persons affected by the demolitions were afforded every right to challenge the demolition orders, including petitioning the Israeli Supreme Court. In a detailed decision handed down on June 11, 2019, the Israeli Supreme Court approved the demolition orders.