Demolitions are a central component of Israel's settlement policy in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem aiming at consolidating control over the land and limiting Palestinian development. In 2023, a total of 1.177 structures were demolished or seized, throughout the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the highest number recorded since 2016. 19% of demolitions took place in East Jerusalem, 23% in Areas A and B, and 58% in Area C. In total, 2.296 individuals have been displaced and 439.875 affected as a result of demolitions. 76% of those structures were targeted for lacking Israeli building permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain in Area C and East Jerusalem.
After 7 October, the violence in the West Bank intensified sharply, resulting in a surge of demolitions and displacement. 19% of the demolitions were partially or entirely demolished as a result of Israeli military operations, especially in highly populated areas such as Jenin and Tulkarem affecting almost 400.000 Palestinians. Additionally, settler violence surged and access restrictions were in tensified, displacing 1,539 Palestinians, including 756 children. 78% of the displacements due to settler violence in 2023 occurred after 7 October.
Punitive demolitions in Areas A and B, where authorities demolish the homes of relatives of Palestinians accused of harming or attempting to harm Israeli civilians or security personnel, rose significantly. In 2023, 24 such homes were demolished, more than double the number from the previous year.
In Area C, nearly one third of the 681 demolitions affected vulnerable Bedouin and herding communities. Additionally, many Palestinian schools are under threat of demolition.
East Jerusalem witnessed a doubling of demolitions in the first quarter of 2023 compared to 2022 reaching the highest levels since 2019. Throughout the year, 140 housing units were destroyed, alongside a continued rise in self demolitions due to Israeli financial and legal pressures. Many Palestinian families remain at risk of eviction, particularly in the neighborhoods of Silwan, Sheikh Jarrah, and al-Walaja.
Of the structures targeted in the twelve-month reporting period, 78 structures were funded by the EU or EU Member States (valued at EUR €248,086).
One Year Report on Demolitions and Seizures in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem Reporting Period: 1 January 31 December 2023
