PLO: Israeli house demolition policy "a war crime"

Ma'an
...Israel's ongoing demolition of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem "is a war crime and a deliberate affront to international resolutions and humanitarian law."

In a statement, the PLO's international relations department slammed what it termed Israel's "policy of expulsion and ethnic cleansing."

On Tuesday, Israeli forces and a demolition crew entered the East Jerusalem village of Sur Bahir, south of the Old City, and destroyed the two-story home of Nimir Ali Nimir. The 300 square-meter house was home to 11 people.

... that home was the eighth in recent weeks, the PLO noted, adding that "the policy of home demolition, especially in occupied Jerusalem, has been ongoing since 1967 - carried out and deliberately approved by the [Israeli] political leadership."

"They have officially legitimized the expulsion of Palestinians from the holy city, placing them with settlers and changing realities on the ground," the statement added.

Since 1967, the department said, Israeli authorities have demolished more than 23,000 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem. "Around 11,000 more are at risk, as Israel is carrying out this policy in an escalating manner." Full story