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The Palestinian village of Silwan is located to the south of the Old City of Jerusalem

Israeli authorities argue that the demolitions were necessary because the houses were constructed illegally and without building permits. While the families who lived in the homes did attempt a court appeal against the demolition orders, they were turned down.  

Since the occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967, Jewish religious and nationalist groups have attempted to establish a Jewish present in the village. In 1991, the settlement “Ir David” (The City of David) began to take over portions of Silwan. 

The Wadi Hilwe neighborhood of Silwan, has been the most targeted by the settlers, due to its proximity to the Old City. The Israeli plan is to take over this neighborhood and link it with a tunnel to the Western Wall Plaza in the Old City’s Jewish Quarter.

A more comprehensive Israeli plan is to create a territorial link between the Jewish settlement inside the Old City (the Jewish Quarter) and link it to settlements in what is called “The Holy Basin Area,” which include the East Jerusalem Palestinian villages al-Sheikh Jarah, Wadi el-Joz, al-Tur, Ras al-Amoud, Jabel el-Mukabir and Silwan.  

The near impossibility for Palestinians to legally obtain building permits is a foundational element of Israeli policy in Jerusalem, meant to limit the Palestinian population in the city at the same time that Jewish presence and control is increased.  

The demolition of these two homes in Silwan, just one more incident in this policy, resulted in nine people being left homeless, including one widow and her two children.  

Ahmed Sub Laban, from the organization Ir Amim, was present yesterday in Silwan during the demolitions. He and around 150 Palestinians and residents of the neighborhood gathered to attempt to prevent the house demolitions. Sub Laban told the Alternative Information Center that around 12:30 p.m., a bulldozer and 100 policemen and border guards arrived to demolish the building. “It was almost impossible for us to reach the house because of the police, but somehow  we managed.” Twenty people attempted to prevent the house from being demolished by remaining inside the building. Following negotiations with the police, however, they agreed to leave. Despite this, following the demolition, confrontation between the Palestinians and Israeli police and border guards became increasingly intense. The Israeli police shot rubber bullets and gas canisters at the Palestinian protesters, who threw stones in response.