Another house demolished in Jerusalem

Israeli bulldozers demolished Tuesday morning another Arab house that belongs to Naser Saed Mustafa Abu Riyala in Issawiyye town, a northern neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Israeli municipal records speak of 21 more houses in this neighborhood as having been served with demolition orders, but the orders have not been carried out as yet.

The Israeli authorities on Monday demolished another Arab house in Beit Hanina neighborhood north of Jerusalem. Palestinian officials complained in press statements that the current pace of house demolition is likely to blow up the whole peace process in the region and might make meaningless any effort by Israel or the Palestinians to resume the final status talks.

Throughout last year, residents of the town said, the Israeli authorities demolished six houses under the pretext of being built without license. PNA minister in charge of the Jerusalem portfolio, Faisal Husseini, said the demolition of the houses in Jerusalem would bring grave consequences to the peace making efforts in the region. "They did not demolish a house but the credibility of the peace process and the credibility of the Israeli government, which promised to freeze house demolitions. Husseini said that there were some authoritative elements within the Israeli government who are trying to poison the atmosphere before the start of the final status negotiations. "We will act politically and legally to prevent any other demolition acts," pledged Husseini.