Punitive Israeli House Demolitions a War Crime: HRW

Human Rights Watch called on the Zionist entity Saturday to stop razing the homes of Palestinians accused of “attacking” Israelis, saying the practice can constitute a war crime

Human Rights Watch called on the Zionist entity Saturday to stop razing the homes of Palestinians accused of “attacking” Israelis, saying the practice can constitute a war crime.



"Israel should impose an immediate moratorium on its policy of demolishing the family homes of Palestinians suspected of carrying out attacks on Israelis," the New York-based group said, as the fate of three houses slated for demolition awaits a court ruling.



"The policy, which Israeli officials claim is a deterrent, deliberately and unlawfully punishes people not accused of any wrongdoing. When carried out in occupied territory, including east Jerusalem, it amounts to collective punishment, a war crime."



The east Jerusalem families of Muataz Hijazi, and of cousins Uday and Ghassan Abu Jamal, killed by police after two separate attacks in west Al-Quds, have been served demolition orders on their homes but have appealed.



Their lawyer, Mohammed Mahmud, said in a statement that an Israeli military court would hear their petition on Sunday morning.

Home demolitions have long been used in the occupied West Bank, but this is the first time they have been adopted as a matter of policy in occupied east Jerusalem.