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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UN: Freeze Jerusalem demolitions | UN: Freeze Jerusalem demolitions |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The UN has asked Israel to freeze all pending demolition orders in East Jerusalem and to do more to provide for the housing needs of Palestinians. | The UN has asked Israel to freeze all pending demolition orders in East Jerusalem and to do more to provide for the housing needs of Palestinians. |
| Almost a third of all Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem have been built without a permit, says a UN report. | Almost a third of all Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem have been built without a permit, says a UN report. |
| This puts 60,000 Palestinians at risk of having their houses demolished by Israeli authorities. | This puts 60,000 Palestinians at risk of having their houses demolished by Israeli authorities. |
| The mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, has acknowledged a planning crisis for all of Jerusalem. | The mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, has acknowledged a planning crisis for all of Jerusalem. |
| The report, produced by the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, says the root of the problem in a lack of adequate urban planning by the Jerusalem municipality which controls East Jerusalem. | The report, produced by the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, says the root of the problem in a lack of adequate urban planning by the Jerusalem municipality which controls East Jerusalem. |
| Children, who represent over 50 % of the Palestinian population, are particularly affected by the displacement of their families UN report 'The Planning Crisis in East Jerusalem' Demolitions build Jerusalem tension Obstacles to peace: Jerusalem | Children, who represent over 50 % of the Palestinian population, are particularly affected by the displacement of their families UN report 'The Planning Crisis in East Jerusalem' Demolitions build Jerusalem tension Obstacles to peace: Jerusalem |
| Palestinians wanting to build a home can only seek permission to do so in a small area. It comprises about 13% of East Jerusalem and is already densely populated. | Palestinians wanting to build a home can only seek permission to do so in a small area. It comprises about 13% of East Jerusalem and is already densely populated. |
| As a result at least 28% of all homes have been constructed illegally. | As a result at least 28% of all homes have been constructed illegally. |
| Out of the quarter of a million Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, the UN says, 60,000 are at risk of having their homes demolished by the Israeli authorities. | Out of the quarter of a million Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, the UN says, 60,000 are at risk of having their homes demolished by the Israeli authorities. |
| Plans promised | Plans promised |
| Israeli officials reacted to the UN report by saying that building codes are enforced even-handedly across the city. | Israeli officials reacted to the UN report by saying that building codes are enforced even-handedly across the city. |
| Jerusalem's municipality has said all Jerusalem residents are treated equally whether built to house Jewish or Palestinian families it says, all illegal buildings must be pulled down. | Jerusalem's municipality has said all Jerusalem residents are treated equally whether built to house Jewish or Palestinian families it says, all illegal buildings must be pulled down. |
| The office of the mayor of Jerusalem, Mayor Nir Barkat, disputed the figures given in the UN report. | The office of the mayor of Jerusalem, Mayor Nir Barkat, disputed the figures given in the UN report. |
| But Mr Barkat admitted that there was a planning crisis in all of Jerusalem that "affects Jews, Christians and Muslims alike". | But Mr Barkat admitted that there was a planning crisis in all of Jerusalem that "affects Jews, Christians and Muslims alike". |
| HOUSING CRISIS In 2009, 19 home demolitions carried out, displacing 100 PalestiniansPalestinians can apply for building permission in 13% of East JerusalemApplication process complicated and expensive28% of Palestinian homes illegal1500 demolition orders pending1,100 housing unit shortfall per year for Palestinians (Source: UN Ocha) | |
| A spokesman said, a master plan for the city would be announced in the coming weeks. | A spokesman said, a master plan for the city would be announced in the coming weeks. |
| The UN report says that approximately 1,500 demolition orders have been issued and are pending. If carried out they would make 9000 people homeless, half of them children. | The UN report says that approximately 1,500 demolition orders have been issued and are pending. If carried out they would make 9000 people homeless, half of them children. |
| Overall the UN estimates a gap of about 1,100 housing units per year in the Palestinian community in east Jerusalem. | Overall the UN estimates a gap of about 1,100 housing units per year in the Palestinian community in east Jerusalem. |
| Those who build illegally not only risk losing their home, but also "face heavy fines imposed by the Jerusalem municipality and, in some cases prison sentences". | Those who build illegally not only risk losing their home, but also "face heavy fines imposed by the Jerusalem municipality and, in some cases prison sentences". |
| Hardest hit are the children, says the report. | Hardest hit are the children, says the report. |
| "In the immediate aftermath of demolitions, children often face gaps in education and limited access to basic services such as health care and clean water. Longer-term impacts include symptoms of psychological distress." | "In the immediate aftermath of demolitions, children often face gaps in education and limited access to basic services such as health care and clean water. Longer-term impacts include symptoms of psychological distress." |
| Israel has occupied East Jerusalem since 1967. It has annexed the city and declared its east and west Israel's eternal capital. | Israel has occupied East Jerusalem since 1967. It has annexed the city and declared its east and west Israel's eternal capital. |
| This is not recognised by the international community, with the east of the city considered occupied territory. | This is not recognised by the international community, with the east of the city considered occupied territory. |
| Palestinians hope to establish their capital in East Jerusalem. They say Israel uses demolition orders to try to force them out of their homes. | Palestinians hope to establish their capital in East Jerusalem. They say Israel uses demolition orders to try to force them out of their homes. |