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European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
  • 17 January 2025

Tearing down your family home: Palestinians facing demolitions in East Jerusalem

A panoramic view of Silwan, East Jerusalem, showing densely packed homes and recently demolished structures.
A panoramic view of Silwan, East Jerusalem, showing densely packed homes and recently demolished structures.
© European Union, 2024 (photographer: Federica Cuccia)

Silwan, a Palestinian neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem, has become a focal point in the ongoing tensions over house demolitions. The area faces pressure from Israeli settler groups seeking to turn the land into a national park linked to the nearby City of David archaeological site. East Jerusalem, formally considered annexed by Israel in 1980, is considered by the EU as occupied territory where, therefore, settlements, house demolitions and annexations are prohibited by international law.

Since 2005, Palestinians in East Jerusalem have been receiving warnings from Israeli authorities to demolish homes following the accusation of building without permits. These are issued by the same authorities and are nearly impossible to obtain. 

In 2024, demolitions and settler attacks in the West Bank not only exceeded projections but also surpassed the highest on record, with a total of 543 demolitions recorded, a 21% increase compared to 2023. 

Among these demolitions was the home of Abu Diab, a Palestinian researcher, community leader and advocate for Palestinian rights who had lived there for 35 years with 9 other family members, including his spouse and married children.

Abu Diab looks at the rubble of his demolished home with personal belongings scattered among the debris.
Abu Diab looks at the rubble of his demolished home with personal belongings scattered among the debris.
© European Union, 2024 (photographer: Federica Cuccia)

We visit his house’s lot, now reduced to a pile of rubble. He lives in a modest precast shelter with his wife, next to a small enclosure with a few geese and chickens. Some of Abu Diab family’s personal belongings lie under the sun, scattered among pieces of walls and broken tiles. Part of what used to be a kitchen is also visible, completely exposed by the tearing down of the structure.

"I was born in this house in 1962, before the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem," says Abu Diab, reflecting on the destruction. “In 1988 I asked Israeli authorities for a permit to expand the house as my family was growing. Instead, I got a demolition order.”

Despite public condemnation of their unlawful nature, these demolitions have continued, causing profound emotional and financial strain on Palestinian families. Many are forced to demolish their own homes to avoid the high costs associated with Israeli-managed demolitions, which can include hefty fees and fines. 

The family’s personal belongings are scattered among the debris.
The family’s personal belongings are scattered among the debris.
© European Union, 2024 (photographer: Federica Cuccia)

Support for families affected by demolitions comes from the West Bank Protection Consortium, a group of NGOs working thanks also to the support of EU humanitarian funding. The Consortium provides cash assistance to help families secure temporary shelter with a fixed rental subsidy for 3 months, followed by additional conditional cash support for rental contracts when needed.

Since 2023, the EU has allocated €28 million to support the West Bank Protection Consortium’s efforts in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. These funds aim to ensure the provision of shelter assistance, legal aid, and advocacy against forcible transfer.

In 2024, the West Bank Protection Consortium assisted some 946 households impacted by demolitions, a 34% increase compared to people assisted in 2023.

Abu Diab continues to advocate for his community, urging greater international intervention. "I went up to the Israeli Supreme Court to plead for my case. They told me there’s a plan for the neighbourhood but refused to give me access to any document. Families in Silwan are left wondering what will come, any day in their home could be the last." he states.

As the future of Silwan remains uncertain, the resilience of its residents and the support from humanitarian organisations continue to foster the hope for just and dignified housing for Palestinians.

  • Photo of Federica Cuccia

    Story and photos by Federica Cuccia, Information and Communication Officer at the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.

    Publication date: 17/01/2025