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Pro-Palestine groups urge US to stop Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes

Sunday, 15 August 2021 5:45 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 15 August 2021 5:48 PM ]

Owners of Palestinian-built houses being demolished by Israel look on in the village of Sair, northeast of al-Khalil (Hebron) in the occupied West Bank, August 5, 2021. (Photo by AFP)

At least a dozen pro-Palestine institutions have called on Washington to immediately intervene and act against Israel’s relentless policy of ethnic cleansing toward the Palestinians and its demolition of Palestinian property across East al-Quds and other occupied territories.

The US institutions, in a joint statement on Sunday, urged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer to press the Israeli authorities to halt the scheduled eviction of at least 16 Palestinian families from their homes in the al-Bustan district of Silwan neighborhood.

“Since May 2021, hundreds of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem, including 16 households in the al-Bustan neighborhood, have faced the risk of arbitrary expulsion. The US support for Israel and the policy of silence about its crimes against the Palestinians encourage it to commit more ethnic cleansing practices,” the statement read.

“Pelosi and Schumer have the power to press Israel to stop the demolitions and to stop the policy of ethnic cleansing against the Palestinians.”

Sponsors of the campaign include prominent organizations such as Justice for Justice, American Muslims for Palestine, Arab Resource and Organizing Center, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Eyewitness Palestine, and Jewish Voices for Peace, and the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights.

The campaign maintains that the White House’s unconditional support for Israel has emboldened the regime to commit crimes against the Palestinians.

Unfettered Israeli ethnic cleansing of occupied Palestine

Illegal Israeli actions in the occupied territories have continued unabated, even under the not so new administration headed by Prime Minister Naftali Bennet, unhindered by President Joe Biden.

Israeli authorities recently announced plans to demolish a number of Palestinian homes in various neighborhoods in Silwan.

The regime routinely demolishes Palestinian houses in the occupied West Bank, claiming that the structures have been built without the so-called permits, which are almost impossible to obtain. They also sometimes order Palestinian owners to demolish their own houses.

The United Nations has repeatedly called on Israel to halt its demolition and confiscation of Palestinian property and adhere to its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law.