I don't sign demolition orders for Jewish homes, only for Arabs.
"In Jerusalem, Israel turned urban planning into a tool of the government, to be used to help prevent the expansion of the city’s non-Jewish population. It was a ruthless policy, if only for the fact that the needs (to say nothing of the rights) of Palestinian residents were ignored. Israel saw the adoption of strict zoning plans as a way of limiting the number of new homes build in Arab neighborhoods, and thereby ensuring that the Arab percentage of the city’s population – 28.8 in 1967 – did not grow beyond this level. Allowing “too many” new homes in Arab neighborhoods would mean “too many” Arab residents in the city. The idea was to move as many Jews as possible into East Jerusalem, and move as many Arabs as possible out of the city entirely."
Palestinian Suhail Shabana sits on her sofa as an Israeli police officer gives her ten minutes to leave her house before it was demolished in Beit Hanina in East Jerusalem, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2004. The Shabana family was given notice yesterday by Israeli authorities that the house was to be destroyed. Israeli authorities often demolish houses they say were built without permits. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)
"Of the 17,600 acres of land that comprise East Jerusalem (including the Old City and the commercial downtown of East Jerusalem), Palestinian citizens of Jerusalem have today the right to use and develop less than 9% of it. According to the 1995 Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem, 35% (6,250 acres) of the lands were expropriated for Israeli neighborhoods, roads and other facilities. While 80% of land expropriated since 1967 comes from Palestinians, the vast majority of that land has been designated for Jewish housing and other needs. Close to 0% [zero per cent] of expropriated land has been designated for Arab use."
Suhaila Shabana sits inside her house before Israeli authorities demolished it because it was built without permission in Beit Hanina in the Jerusalem suburbs, December 1, 2004. (REUTERS/Ammar Awad)
"While approximately 55% of the building violations detected each year are in Jewish neighborhoods, 72% of the Jerusalem demolitions are of Palestinian homes."
Palestinian Mohammed Shabana, left, holds the hand of one of his children as he walks towards his house that was demolished by Israeli authorities in Beit Hanina in East Jerusalem, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)
I don't sign demolition orders for Jewish homes, only for Arabs.
-- Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, Haim Miller; February 7th, 1998.
Source: The quotes are from Rabbis For Human Rights - Jerusalem Home Demolitions (PDF document).
