WAHINGTON: The US denounced today the Israeli authorities’ demolition of the home of prominent Palestinian activist, Fakhri Abu Diab, in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of al-Bustan.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller condemned the Israeli demolition of the activist’s home, stating: ‘These acts obstruct efforts to advance a durable and lasting peace and security that would benefit not just Palestinians, but Israelis.”
He stressed that such actions damage Israel’s standing in the world.
The house is home to two other families in addition to Abu Diab’s family.
Earlier today, Israeli authorities demolished the home of the activist, who is also a member of the Silwan Lands Defense Committee, in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of al-Bustan after forcing the families to evict it.
The families were forced out of the house before Israeli forces proceeded to demolish it in a step seen as a punitive measure against Abu Diab for his activism against colonial construction and land seizures in the Silwan ne
ighborhood of east Jerusalem.
The Abu Diab family received a demolition order against the house under the pretext it was built – 15 years ago – without an Israeli-issued permit.
The demolition of the house rendered at least ten people homeless. The house lies 300 meters south of Al Aqsa mosque.
During January, the number of demolition operations in Jerusalem reached 22 demolitions and bulldozing operations, including eight forced self-demolitions and 12 demolition operations carried out by occupation mechanisms, in addition to two bulldozing operations.
The occupation carried out 12 demolition operations, including against houses, residential apartments, commercial facilities, barracks, a retaining wall, a parking garage, and an equestrian club in the town of Qalandiya in occupied Jerusalem.
During 2023, the number of demolitions carried out against Palestinian structures in Jerusalem reached 337.
Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA