This occasional paper addresses the issue of house demolition and sealing by Israeli military forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Official statistics concerning the 1,001 houses which were either demolished or sealed were taken during the 11-year period between January 1981 and December 1991. The study outlines both legal and non-legal arguments made by Israeli military and government officials as well as statements made by the Israeli High Court of Justice in defense of punitive house demolition and sealing. Furthermore, it assesses the applicability of international law on house demolitions to the OPT, as well as Israel's breaches thereof. By revealing Israel's perpetual contravention of international law, the report shows Israel's insistence on undermining the legal system's credibility. Finally, the study includes detailed accounts of seven case studies of house demolitions and sealings in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
This occasional paper addresses the issue of house demolition and sealing by Israeli military forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Official statistics concerning the 1,001 houses which were either demolished or sealed were taken during the 11-year period between January 1981 and December 1991. The study outlines both legal and non-legal arguments made by Israeli military and government officials as well as statements made by the Israeli High Court of Justice in defense of punitive house demolition and sealing. Furthermore, it assesses the applicability of international law on house demolitions to the OPT, as well as Israel's breaches thereof. By revealing Israel's perpetual contravention of international law, the report shows Israel's insistence on undermining the legal system's credibility. Finally, the study includes detailed accounts of seven case studies of house demolitions and sealings in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
