Israel expands evictions and demolitions in East Jerusalem

Israeli authorities have accelerated the removal of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem. Over 260 homes and structures were demolished in 2025, a 70% increase from three years earlier, and at least 116 demolitions have been recorded in 2026 so far, according to the monitoring group Ir Amim.

Residents such as Fakhri Abu Diab describe living amid rubble after their home was destroyed two years ago. Abu Diab said his family is “trying to erase my memories, my childhood, my history.” The neighbourhood of al‑Bustan, part of the Silwan district, now consists of makeshift shelters and demolition sites.

Human‑rights groups attribute the surge to policies that favour Jewish settlement growth while severely limiting Palestinian construction permits. In the last year, nearly 9,000 permits were approved for Jewish residents of Jerusalem, compared with fewer than 700 for Palestinians. The shift comes as U.S. pressure on Israel over settlement activity has waned, according to activists.