Arabic version: الفلسطينيون يواجهون هدم منازلهم بأنفسهم في شرق القدس
Palestinians in East Jerusalem are increasingly forced to demolish their own homes to avoid exorbitant fines imposed by Israeli authorities. Families like that of Basema Dabash, who lived in Sur Baher, face the emotional and financial burden of self-demolition after receiving eviction notices.
According to Al Jazeera, the Dabash family received a demolition order for their home in 2014. After years of appeals and accumulating fines, they were compelled to demolish their house by February 12, 2026, to avoid paying a fee of 100,000 shekels (approximately $32,000).
The psychological toll of such actions is profound. Basema shared that the demolition has left her family scattered and struggling, highlighting the despair faced by many Palestinians in similar situations. “How did we come to this?” she lamented, reflecting on the emotional pain of losing their home.
Human Rights Watch and B’Tselem have reported that obtaining building permits for Palestinians is nearly impossible, exacerbating the situation. In February alone, 15 self-demolitions were recorded, with a significant increase following the escalation of violence in Gaza after October 2023.
The phenomenon of self-demolition is seen as a double punishment for Palestinians, compounding their suffering and loss. As Israeli settlements expand in East Jerusalem, the disparity in treatment between Palestinians and Israeli settlers is stark, leading to further displacement and despair among the Palestinian community.
