Court: Why won't state combat illegal Palestinian construction?

Tomer Zarchin/Chaim Levinson
Haaretz
03 September 09

(Great question!)

The High Court asked state prosecutors why the state discriminates between illegal Jewish and Palestinian building in the West Bank, citing the lack of enforcement of demolition warrants against illegally-built Palestinian buildings in the area.

The High Court hearing on Thursday came after the right-wing "Regavim movement for the protection of national land", called for the court to force Defense Minister Ehud Barak to explain why he hasn't carried out the demolition of illegal buildings in the Palestinian villages of Asaviya and Yitma in the West Bank, which are located next to the settlement of Rahalim.

The state said in response to the petition that since 1996, demolition orders were given against 50 buildings in Asaviya, but only 3 have been carried out.
In the discussion, a justice asked if the enforcement of demolition orders for illegal building by Palestinians is treated equally to demolition orders for illegal building by Jewish settlers in the West Bank. A state prosecutor said that there is a difference in understanding in the Israeli and Palestinian sector.

The same prosecutor said that civilian authorities had ruled that enforcement is different for illegal construction carried out on private property owned by someone other than the builder.

When a justice asked why only 3 demolition warrants had been issued since 1996, she was told that there is only so much manpower to carry out the demolitions and there are more pressing national concerns.

Regavim issued a statement on Thursday saying "finally the High Court understands that it is impossible to enact selective enforcement against Jews only in the West Bank."
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