Israel demolishes facilities in Silwan, Jerusalem
Israel has prioritized the evacuation and demolition of Palestinian homes in the town of Silwan in Jerusalem, in favor of settlement projects, but it measures the Palestinian and international reactions before moving forward with its plans, fearing a repetition of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood scenario.
An Israeli military force consisting of 40 police vehicles reinforced with special units raided al-Bustan neighborhood in the town of Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque, early in the morning of June 29. An Israeli bulldozer flattened the butcher shop of Jerusalemite Nidal al-Rajabi.
Rajabi had refused an order to demolish his shop within 21 days on the grounds that it was allegedly built without a license.
Residents of al-Bustan neighborhood in Silwan are afraid more properties will be leveled by Israel. Eviction and demolition threaten 97 homes. According to Israeli plans, tourist parks, themed around biblical stories and figures are to be constructed over these properties.
Yet the recent demolition incident did not go unnoticed. Palestinian citizens confronted Israeli soldiers and threw stones at them, who in turn responded with batons, sound bombs and rubber bombs.
