While the Prime Minister’s Office continues exerting pressure on Israel Police to actualize a High Court of Justice order to demolish Beit Yehonatan in the Shiloach area of the capital, a petition was submitted to the High Court of Justice last week to raze two Arab homes adjacent to Bet Yehonatan, also classified as illegal. Attorney Amir Fisher submitted the petition, citing the owner, Ahmad Sheikh, constructed two buildings, six and seven stories, despite only receiving a permit for two story structures. There is a demolition order pending against both buildings for about ten years, and about four years ago, Sheikh was sentenced to four years imprisonment and a fine of NIS 2 million for the illegal structures. He fled abroad to avoid imprisonment but the structures have yet to be razed.

According to the daily HaMevaser, Sheikh tried working the legal system to have the demolition orders canceled while abroad, albeit without success. 

The force behind implementing the demolition order against Beit Yehonatan is Yossi Chavilov, the city’s legal advisor, who in the past was also quoted as admitting to the severity of the violations represented by the construction of the two Arab-owned buildings. Nevertheless, they are not on his agenda or on the agenda of the national government, which is pushing to level Beit Yehonatan. 

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat on the other hand has refused to implement the demolition of Beit Yehonatan until such time the demolition orders against the illegal Arab construction is implemented as well, stating there is one law for al in the city of Jerusalem.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)