P F Tinmore
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- Dec 6, 2009
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New house demolition orders were issued against several Christian Palestinian families living in the Old City of Jerusalem, according to the Jerusalem Inter-Church Centre this June.
Jerusalem's Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and Catholic Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land (Custodia Terra Sancta) accommodate over 500 Palestinian families in homes in the Old City. Christian homes and churches have for some time, according to the Inter-Church Centre, been facing difficulty in obtaining permits for renovation from the Israeli authorities in Jerusalem.
The four families threatened with eviction say they have been contacted individually by the Israeli municipal authorities in Jerusalem and have already had court procedures instituted against them.
One resident, Sami Wakileh, has described the initial court procedures, saying that he has been told by the judge that any defense against the eviction orders is a waste of your precious time. Do not dream of receiving any permit Mr Wakileh has stated that he has spent over US$100,000 renovating the home he leases from the Church.
Members of the Palestinian Christian community have strongly criticised the Israeli municipality's demolition orders, saying that Israeli settlers have freely received building permits in areas where Arab families are routinely denied permission to build or extend houses.
Jerusalem's Christians face ethnically motivated home destruction, claims Church
Jerusalem's Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and Catholic Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land (Custodia Terra Sancta) accommodate over 500 Palestinian families in homes in the Old City. Christian homes and churches have for some time, according to the Inter-Church Centre, been facing difficulty in obtaining permits for renovation from the Israeli authorities in Jerusalem.
The four families threatened with eviction say they have been contacted individually by the Israeli municipal authorities in Jerusalem and have already had court procedures instituted against them.
One resident, Sami Wakileh, has described the initial court procedures, saying that he has been told by the judge that any defense against the eviction orders is a waste of your precious time. Do not dream of receiving any permit Mr Wakileh has stated that he has spent over US$100,000 renovating the home he leases from the Church.
Members of the Palestinian Christian community have strongly criticised the Israeli municipality's demolition orders, saying that Israeli settlers have freely received building permits in areas where Arab families are routinely denied permission to build or extend houses.
Jerusalem's Christians face ethnically motivated home destruction, claims Church