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| 6. Illegal Building |
| Jerusalem is a modern city where urban planning processes must be observed, as in any other city of the world. Town plans have been drawn up for every neighborhood, designating areas for residential and public building and open space. Applying for a permit is an even-handed, albeit lengthy and expensive process for all residents. In western Jerusalem, building violations almost invariably consist of additions to a legal building, such as a room in a courtyard or an attic added in a roof space. Most residents accept the necessity of applying for a building permit. In eastern Jerusalem, building violations typically take the form of whole buildings constructed without a permit which may be outside the designated area served by amenities such as water, sewage and electricity. Many residents do not accept that they should have to apply for a permit to build on land that they own. Thus, demolitions in eastern Jerusalem are far more dramatic than in the western part of the city, even before the political level comes into play. Illegal building is demolished in west Jerusalem as well, but we have been unable to attract journalists to these demolitions. Unfortunately, accurate information is not published in the media regarding house demolitions. The facts are as follows: In 2000, 9 demolitions took place in East Jerusalem and 6 in West Jerusalem. In 2001 there were 32 demolitions in East Jerusalem and 6 in West Jerusalem. In 2002 there were 36 demolitions in East Jerusalem and 13 in West Jerusalem. In 2003 there were 66 demolitions in East Jerusalem and 10 in West Jerusalem. In 2004 (up to the beginning of March) there were 33 demolitions in East Jerusalem and 3 in West Jerusalem. Illegal building is a widespread form of POLITICAL ACTION based on a refusal to accept the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Jerusalem in east Jerusalem. It is encouraged and in many cases financed by the Palestinian Authority. DUE LEGAL PROCESS IS ALWAYS OBSERVED by the Municipality of Jerusalem, and where an illegal building is likely to receive a permit we do not demolish but encourage the owner to apply for a permit. OUR POLICY IS NOT TO DEMOLISH BUILDINGS THAT ARE OCCUPIED. Demolitions take place at as early a stage of construction as possible. Most of the illegal buildings are for investment and are not the sole family home of poor people. WE ONLY DEMOLISH BUILDINGS THAT STAND IN THE WAY OF PUBLIC WORKS such as a planned school or road, or interfere with the city's historical heritage. IN MANY CASES THOSE BUILDING ILLEGALLY ARE NOT THE LEGAL OWNERS of the land on which they build. We have received complaints from actual (Arab) owners of land asking us to demolish buildings that others are constructing on their property. This anarchic state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue. The Interior Ministry also has the authority to demolish buildings without reference to the Municipality. A small number of demolitions takes place each year; a case in point was the demolition in Tsur Baher, which was wrongly assumed to be our initiative and harmed our credibility with the residents. | ||