IOA to demolish 20 Palestinian homes in Silwan to build public park

IOA to demolish 20 Palestinian homes in Silwan to build public park

The Israeli-controlled municipality of Jerusalem has asked the police department to allow demolition of 20 Palestinian homes in Silwan suburb in order to build a public park on their ruins.

The Hebrew daily Yediot Ahronot said on Tuesday that the municipality chief Nir Barkat has asked the police department to allow the resumption of razing unlicensed buildings after one month of stoppage.

It noted that the new measure would target 20 houses in Silwan east of Jerusalem, the demolition of which might trigger confrontations with Palestinians in the holy city.

The Israeli army radio reported on Tuesday that the municipality’s planning and construction committee would meet next Thursday to approve the annexation of Palestinian land adjacent to Gilo settlement to build public buildings.