Palestinian homes bulldozed as Israeli freeze on demolitions appears to end
East Jerusalem families hit by destruction order
Demolition of a Palestinian home An unfinished Palestinian home in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Isawiyya being bulldozed by Israelis today. Photograph: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images
Israeli bulldozers destroyed at least three Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem today, breaking an unofficial moratorium on house demolitions since the end of 2009.
At least one of the homes was occupied by a family of seven, who removed their belongings shortly before the building was razed.
"They can build hundreds of settlements but I'm not entitled to live in a shack?" Linda al-Rajabi was quoted in the Israeli media as saying.
Two of the demolished homes were in the last stages of construction.
Jerusalem city authorities said all the homes were built without proper planning permission, which Palestinians say is almost impossible to obtain.
Under pressure from Washington, Israel has largely refrained from carrying out demolition orders since last November, when a temporary and partial freeze on settlement construction was agreed.
Approval was given yesterdayfor the building of 32 new homes in the settlement of Pisgat Ze'ev, in East Jerusalem, which is exempt from the freeze. A further 48 housing units are expected to be approved next week.
All settlements on land which Israel occupied in 1967 are illegal under international law.
"The rule of thumb in this part of the world is that in the run-up to US elections Israel has a free hand," said Jeff Halper, of the International Committee against House Demolitions. "Israel is now taking advantage of that."
Meanwhile, the Israeli navy said it had made contact with the Libyan aid ship Amalthea, which is attempting to break the sea blockade of Gaza. The ship, carrying 2,000 tons of supplies and 15 activists, is expected to reach territorial waters off Gaza sometime tomorrow.
Israel has urged the ship's captain to divert to the Egyptian port of el-Arish, but insists it will intercept the boat if it continues on course to Gaza.