A lose-lose situation

Ruins of a previously demolished house in Far'oun

House demolitions happen almost daily in the West Bank - particularly in and around the Jerusalem. The most common reason is that the Palestinian house owner is unable to a obtain building permit from the Israeli authorities in Area C (area under full Israeli control).

This is, however, not the case in the village of Far'oun south of Tulkarem. Here, two houses have been served demolition orders because these houses are too close to the Wall. The thing is, these houses were built before the Wall was. Not to mention that the Wall is built on Palestinian privately-owned land and not on the internationally acknowledged green line. Nevertheless, the message from the Israeli authorities is clear: These houses must be removed. For security reasons.

The view from the roof terrace of one of the threatened houses - demolished houses all around. In the background you can see the Wall, here built as a fence.

The owners of the two houses have taken the case to the Israeli court, which has granted them an extension on the demolition date. We went to Far'oun and met one of them. He seemed pretty certain about the outcome. His family had cleaned the house for its belongings and vacated it. Hearing horror stories of families that were only given five minute warnings and lost everything they owned under the rubble, has made people precautious.

All valuable are removed and the family is living with relatives

There was resignation written all over this man. He knows it is a lost cause no matter how hard he fights. After the last court hearing, a representative from the Israeli military told him that even if he wins the case, they will find a way to fabricate a reason to have the house demolished. 'We will get someone to shoot at the Wall from your house, and then it will have to be demolished for security reasons', he had said. Security. Of course.

Maybe the last time the owner walks through the gate of his house

Last year, seven neighbouring houses were demolished. The year before another two.