Following international pressure, Israel postpones demolition of Jerusalem building, home to about 100 Arab families
Following international pressure, a residential building in east Jerusalem – slated for demolition since 2015 because it was built without a permit – will be delayed. The building is home to about 100 Arab families.
Several Western embassies expressed concerned, including those of the United States and United Kingdom, and, consequently, Israel's Prime Minister’s Office decided to postpone the demolition to a future unknown date.
It was recently decided to proceed with the demolition after cracks were discovered in the walls, deeming the building dangerous for residential occupancy.
The opposition in the Knesset used the postponement as an occasion to mock the government.
Knesset Member Ze'ev Elkin wrote on social media, “It cannot be. Must be fake news from Barak Ravid. I do not believe that Bezalel Smotrich and [Itamar] Ben Gvir succumbed to international pressure and, more so, in Jerusalem. Soon we will be told that the right-wing government has asked for a postponement of the eviction of Khan Al-Ahmar.”
Israeli Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar told Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir on social media that he had “been tricked again,” referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
