IMEMC / April 13, 2026
Israeli authorities forced two Palestinians to carry out the self‑demolition of their home on Sunday evening in the town of Jabal al‑Mukabber, south‑east of occupied Jerusalem, continuing a long‑standing policy that places the financial burden of demolition on Palestinian families.
According to the Jerusalem Governorate, the Israeli municipality compelled Ali Sawahreh and his son Mohammad to demolish their own home to avoid the heavy fines and demolition fees imposed when Israeli crews carry out the destruction.
The family had been threatened with substantial financial penalties, including the possibility of arrest and prosecution, if they refused to comply.
On Saturday, Israeli occupation authorities forced four Palestinian citizens to demolish their homes on Saturday, in the town of Silwan, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem.
These incidents reflect a broader pattern in occupied Jerusalem, where Israeli authorities routinely pressure Palestinians to demolish their homes under the pretext of lacking building permits—permits that are systematically denied to Palestinian residents.
Families who refuse self‑demolition face the arrival of Israeli bulldozers, followed by steep charges for the demolition operation, debris removal, and municipal penalties.
Human rights organizations have long documented the practice as part of a wider policy aimed at restricting Palestinian urban growth in occupied Jerusalem while expanding Israeli settlements and altering the city’s demographic landscape.
The forced self‑demolition in Jabal al‑Mukabber adds to the growing number of Palestinian families displaced in recent months, underscoring the ongoing pressures facing residents of occupied Jerusalem under Israeli municipal and military policies.
International Middle East Media Center (IMEMC)
