2018-07-05

Stop-work and demolition order of Musallam family home in Battir / Bethlehem

Violation: stop-work and demolition order of a residence

Date: July 5, 2018.

Location: Battir / Bethlehem.

Perpetrators: the Israeli Occupation Civil Administration.

Victims: families of villager Saleem Musallam.

In July 5, the Israeli Occupation Authorities issued stop-work and demolition orders of a residential structure in Battir on the pretext of unlicensed construction. The owner said the officers of the so-called Israeli Occupation Civil Administration showed up and placed the orders under a stone near the house. The owner had received a first stop-work order in March 6, it said that the structure was built before acquiring  a proper permit and demanded immediate stoppage of construction. They also set March 19, 2018 as the date of a hearing session to be held at Beit El military court to decide on the fate of the residences.

Image title

Image title

Image title

Villager Saleem Musallam told LRC observer:

"I live in Battir, and I built the house on a land I inherited from my father, It is the only land I own. In March 2018, The Israeli occupation delivered a stop-work order on my residence, I prepared the necessary papers and hired a lawyer to follow up the case in the Israeli court, It is my right to live safely with my family in my property"

The following table provides more information about the targeted home:

Affected villager

Number of family mmembers

Number of children

The area of the building m2

Ststus of the building

Saleem Musallam

6

4

700

Under construction

The Israeli occupation obstructs any construction or expansion of Palestinians in C area in order to keep carry out their colonial projects there.

About Battir :

The village is located 7km to the western side of Bethlehem. It is edged by the occupied lands of 1948 from the north and west, al-Walaja village from the northeast, and Husan village from the south.

Battir has a total population of 4696 people until 2017 and has a total land area of 6681 dunum, 832 of which are built-up area.

Oslo Accords divided the lands of Battir as follows:

1467 dunums are classified as area B

5214 dunums are classified as area C

Image title

The contents of this document is the sole responsibility of LRC and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union