United Nations Radio

The United Nations has called on Israel to end its programme of demolishing homes in east Jerusalem and tackle a mounting housing crisis for Palestinians in the city.

A report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA says dozens of Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem are demolished each year because they do not have planning permits. Of the 70 square kilometers of east Jerusalem and the West Bank annexed by Israel, the report says, only 13 per cent is zoned for Palestinian construction and this was mostly already built up. The Deputy head of OCHA in the Occupied Palestinian territory, Allegra Pacheco, says Palestinians find it very difficult to obtain planning permits.

"The planning, the zoning process for the Jerusalem municipality for Palestinian areas is very restrictive. So there are very few spaces where the Palestinians can build legally today. There's a shortage of over a thousand homes a year built for Palestinians in terms to match the growth rate."

The UN said it was particularly concerned about areas facing mass demolition, including an area south of the old city, where the threatened destruction of 90 houses would lead to the displacement of a thousand Palestinians.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.

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