Israel carries out ‘unprecedented’ home demolitions in West Bank

Rights group draws attention to psychological impact on Palestinians

Israeli authorities have demolished 168 Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank alone in the first half of 2016, according to Israeli rights group B’tselem. The demolitions left 740 Palestinians homeless, 384 of which are children.

In a report titled Unprecedented Destruction, the group said the rate of demolitions in 2016 is the highest in over a decade. In 2015, Israel destroyed 125 homes, leaving 496 Palestinians homeless.

From 2006 to 2016, Israel demolished 1,113 homes in occupied West Bank (not including East Jerusalem) leaving 5,199 Palestinians homeless.

The rights group also drew attention to the psychological impact the demolitions had on Palestinians. Many live in constant fear that their homes will be demolished too. “This policy of the Israeli government, systematically implemented for years, constitutes the forcible transfer of Palestinians who are a protected population in an occupied territory, and as such breaches international humanitarian law,” said B’tselem.

The organisation said the Israeli regime cites “flimsy legal pretexts” to displace and expel Palestinian residents. It also denies Palestinians any opportunities to legally build.

The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) criticised the home demolitions harshly. Saeb Erekat, PLO Undersecretary, said in a statement, “Israeli occupation forces are waging a systematic war against civilians and unarmed Palestinians in the West Bank, in front of the eyes of the entire world.”

He said the international community was to blame for allowing Israel to continue its “barbaric and inhumane policies”.

Reuters Palestinian women gather at the site of their demolished home earlier this year. The international community has been criticised for not holding Israel accountable for its actions.