East Jerusalem: A case has emerged from Silwan that is not just the story of a house being demolished, but a reflection of helplessness and the pressure of the system.
On Saturday, the Israeli Occupation Authority forced a man named Mohammed Quwaider to demolish his own home, citing “construction without a permit.” The house was located in the Al-Bustan area near Al-Aqsa Mosque, where he had been living with his six children since 2012.
Just imagine—after living in a home for more than 10 years, a family is suddenly compelled to erase it with their own hands…
The matter doesn’t end here. According to the Jerusalem Governorate, the family was also fined 60,000 shekels, of which 25,000 is still pending. In other words, not only did they lose their home, but they are also left burdened with debt.
On the same day, in the Ras al-Amud area of Silwan, three brothers from the At-Tahhan family were also forced to demolish their own homes.
Why is this happening?
In East Jerusalem, Palestinian families are often forced to choose between two difficult options—either demolish their homes themselves or face heavy fines along with the cost of demolition.
Local residents say that whenever they apply for building permits, their applications are rejected. As a result, constructing homes without permits becomes a compulsion for growing families—and later, the same is used against them. According to reports, since the start of the Gaza war, incidents of such home demolitions have nearly doubled.
Conclusion:
This is not just the demolition of a house, but the breaking apart of a family—where not only is the roof gone, but the financial burden has also increased.