Statistics: East Jerusalem – 2004-2008
Find here some statistics regarding the situation in East Jerusalem.
Demolition orders issued to Palestinians:
2008 - 959
2007 - 477
2006 - 687
2005 - 801
2004 - 829
Number of demolitions in East Jerusalem:
2008 - 87
2007 - 78
2006 - 83
2005 - 94
2004 - 152
Fines Collected for “Illegal” Construction (in NIS):
2008 - 14,651,216
2007 - 14,498,317
2006 - 19,948,352
2005 - 28,623,223
2004 - 34,084,823
Jerusalem Municipal officials told ICAHD's Field Coordinator, Dr. Meir Margalit, that 70% of the total fines are paid by Palestinians (the numbers above representing that 70%). 40% of the total number of demolition orders are issued to Palestinians. The reason for the discrepancy between percentages of fines collected and demolition orders issued is that the "illegal" construction in East Jerusalem tends to be entire buildings while in the West Jerusalem (and the East Jerusalem settlements) it tends to be illegal additions to existing buildings.
The Municipality, despite the increased issuance of demolition orders in 2008, says that pressure applied against "illegal" construction has lowered its occurrence. The pressure referred to is the confiscation of construction equipment found to be assisting in "illegal" work. The Municipality has confiscated 68 machines, including 2 tractors, 12 concrete mixers and 7 concrete pumps, in the last 4 years. The fine to release confiscated equipment can be as high as NIS 40,000.
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