A Palestinian girl retrieves her doll from the rubble of a house destroyed by Israeli bulldozers in east Jerusalem on January 29, 2023 AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Saturday, January 28, promised a “strong” response and retaliation “against terrorists’ families.” On Sunday, January 29, Israeli soldiers sealed the entrances to the home of Khayri Alqam, the perpetrator of the attack that killed seven people on Friday, and the 13-year-old teenager who injured two Israelis in Silwan on Saturday, two steps away from the old town wall.
Also Read: Israel: Netanyahu Government Imposes Reprisals Against ‘Family of Terrorists’ After Deadly Jerusalem Attacks
Israel has previously only demolished the homes of Palestinians who kill Israelis. And that process involved notifying the families and an appeals process. But in the case of Khayri Alqam, the house was quickly sealed off without notice or appeal, a move “in complete disregard for the rule of law,” says Dani Shenhar of the Israeli human rights organization HaMoke Humans.
For Israel, the demolition of the homes of Palestinians accused of bombings acts as a deterrent, but critics of the practice denounce it as collective punishment.
Bill to revoke identity cards
At the end of a meeting on Saturday night, the Israeli Security Cabinet also announced the revocation of social security rights for “families of terrorists who support terrorism”. He also stressed that a bill aimed at revoking “Israeli identity cards” for the same category of families will be discussed in the Council of Ministers on Monday.
These measures apply to Palestinians with Israeli citizenship, such as Israeli Arabs, and to Palestinians with resident status in East Jerusalem. They are in line with proposals from Mr Netanyahu’s far-right political partners.
Also listen In Israel, the far right is in power
The Security Cabinet has also decided to make it easier for civilians to obtain gun licenses.
“death spiral”
The Palestinian attacks in East Jerusalem, which have not been claimed, came after 10 Palestinians, including militants and a woman in their 60s, were killed in an Israeli military attack on Thursday in Jenin in the West Bank, Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967 came to life. the bloodiest of recent years. And the violence hasn’t stopped since.
Also read: Article reserved for our subscribers Deadly attack near synagogue in East Jerusalem rekindles risk of escalation
On Sunday, Israeli security forces killed an 18-year-old Palestinian near an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, according to Palestinian authorities. The army claimed he was armed. A Palestinian house and vehicle were set on fire in the West Bank village of Turmus Ayya.
According to the official Palestinian agency WAFA, 120 cars targeted by stones thrown by Israeli settlers and 22 shops were attacked on Saturday evening in Nablus in the West Bank.
The violence gives rise to fears of a new spiral, and calls for restraint are increasing from abroad. “The death spiral, which is growing day by day, is wiping out the rare glimmers of trust between the two peoples,” Pope Francis lamented on Sunday.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected in Jerusalem and Ramallah on Monday and Tuesday after Cairo to discuss de-escalation measures. For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday called on Israelis and Palestinians to “avoid actions that could fuel the spiral of violence,” according to an Elysée press release.