Israeli authorities demolish East Jerusalem building, displacing 70

Israeli authorities demolished a five-storey residential building in East Jerusalem’s al-Tur neighbourhood on October 6, displacing about 70 residents from its 10 apartments. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attended the operation and said the building had been built without permits. The demolition took place a day after residents received a final notice, according to the Jerusalem Governorate. The governorate said the building was razed by Israeli authorities and condemned the operation, describing it as part of a policy of home demolitions and forced displacement that it said was aimed at changing East Jerusalem’s demographic and urban character. That characterization is the governorate’s allegation. Video from the site showed Ben-Gvir inside or standing on a bulldozer. He said the operation implemented his enforcement policy and described the building as illegal. He also claimed that authorities had demolished more than 10,000 structures without permits over the previous year and a half; the claim was not independently verified in the available reporting. Residents’ accounts described a rapid evacuation before the building was demolished.