22.03.2020
HaMoked to the military: suspend all aspects of the punitive home demolition policy; during the current corona pandemic, such illegal actions could endanger the lives of people
On March 22, 2020, HaMoked wrote to the military following the corona state of emergency declared by Israel. HaMoked asserted that in the current circumstances, when people are compelled to stay at home and only go out for vital errands, and given that the Palestinian Authority has adopted similar if not harsher measures, the illegal policy of punitive home demolition pursuant to Regulation 119 must be suspended. Notices about intended demolitions and demolition orders should not be issued and judgments approving the punitive demolition of homes should not be implemented.
A person whose home has been demolished cannot act to protect themselves or others from getting infected with the virus. Therefore, leaving people without a roof over their heads at this time engenders an actual threat to public health, and primarily puts at risk the lives of the occupants of the targeted home and those around them.
