Israel increases demolition of Palestinian structures in 2021

Ramallah, Nov 3 (Prensa Latina) The number of Palestinian structures demolished or seized by Israel in the West Bank increased by a large amount in the first nine months of 2021, a UN entity denounced.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) specified that during the period 311 Palestinian buildings were demolished or confiscated by the Israeli authorities.

In all cases, Tel Aviv did not give notice or did so with very little notice to prevent the Palestinians from going to court to challenge the measure, the entity stressed.

According to OCHA, from January to September the number of people displaced due to this policy grew by 28 percent compared to the same period in 2020.

All the buildings lacked permits because it is almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain them in Area C, which accounts for 60 percent of the total West Bank and is fully under Israeli security and administrative control, OCHA said.

According to the Israeli Peace Now NGO, more than 665,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, spread over 145 settlements and 140 outposts for future colonies.