Israel Wakes Up, Destroys Security-Risk Structures
Israel destroyed eastern-Jerusalem Arab homes last week because they are not only illegal, they are also a bona fide security threat.
The razing occurred just outside the south-eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Sur Baher, practically adjacent to the Jerusalem neighborhood of Talpiyot Mizrach. Terrorist attacks originating in Sur Baher have not been uncommon in recent years.
The buildings had been built alongside the anti-terrorism wall, leaving no room for Israel’s anti-terror forces to safely patrol the area. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan explained that the structures presented a security danger to the residents of Jerusalem.
The buildings would not have had to be destroyed, had the Arab residents not insisted on moving the anti-terrorism wall to include more of their houses on the Israeli side. Thus, the buildings were located outside Jerusalem-proper, on the Israeli side of the barrier, and inside PA-controlled territory.
Let us take this opportunity to reiterate why any thought of “dividing” Jerusalem is pure folly at best, and existentially dangerous at worst – in that it will not only not solve the urban, demographic, or security challenges of the Israeli capital, but will worsen them.