Instantly homeless

In the Beit Hanina community north of Jerusalem the 45-member Kasfero became instantly homeless when authorities demolished their large home in a few hours with a giant crane I call the stone-eating dragon.

Women decrying the loss of the Kasfero family home

The family  told us they  had been applying for permits for the house for 10 years and paid taxes, but could not afford a lawyer. They have nowhere to go because all their extended family lived in the  building. The women and children were shouting and weeping.

Some family belongings. Can you find the teddy bear?

Getting information on demolition of the Abd Eloiahad home

Nearby the stone-eating dragon had done its work on the home of the six-member Abd Eloiahad family that is expecting a new  baby any day. They had a court order delaying the demolition until February 9 but it was ignored. Soldiers and police broke down their door before dawn at 5 a.m. and gave them 10 minutes to remove their things before the destruction began.

Furniture from the Abd Eloiahad home

Ecumenical Accompaniers contacted appropriate agencies to request emergency shelter and legal aid for both families. According to the Israeli Committee against House Demolitions www.icahd.org authorities destroyed 189 homes last year, displacing 880 people.