Israeli Supreme Court Approves Demolition of Palestinian Boy’s Home, Sparking Outrage
The Israeli Supreme Court has made a controversial decision to approve the demolition of the family home of a 13-year-old Palestinian boy. This ruling has sparked outrage and criticism from human rights organizations, highlighting Israel’s disregard for international law.
The case revolves around Mohammed Zalabani, who has been held in pre-trial detention for the past six months on seemingly unfair charges. In February 2023, Mohammed stabbed an Israeli border police officer on a bus at a checkpoint in the Shu’afat refugee camp in occupied East Jerusalem. Although he was overpowered, moments later, a private Israeli security guard accidentally shot and killed the officer.
Despite an autopsy confirming that it was the shooting that caused the officer’s death, Mohammed was charged with murder and is now awaiting trial in a juvenile facility. In response to the attack, the Israeli military ordered the demolition of the Zalabani family’s third-floor apartment in Shu’afat, where Mohammed’s parents and three siblings reside. The order was challenged by the human rights organization HaMoked, but the Supreme Court rejected their petition.
Critics argue that Israel’s practice of punitive demolitions constitutes unlawful collective punishment and a war crime. Such demolitions not only cause the loss of homes but also create fear and distress among entire Palestinian communities. Israeli authorities frequently employ this measure against the relatives of Palestinians involved in attacks against Israeli forces or civilians. The Supreme Court’s approval of the vast majority of these orders is based on the belief that punitive demolitions serve as a deterrent for potential future attacks.
Notably, punitive demolitions were suspended in 2005 due to their inefficacy in deterring Palestinian attacks. However, the policy was resumed in 2014, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of Palestinians who lost their homes. The international community, including the UN Human Rights Committee and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, has repeatedly called on Israel to halt these demolitions.
This controversial ruling raises concerns about Israel’s respect for international law and its treatment of Palestinians. It highlights the Supreme Court’s role in enforcing what some view as apartheid policies against Palestinians. In this particular case, Mohammed’s siblings and parents, who had no involvement in the attack, now face the possibility of losing their home and being displaced as a consequence of what many see as an act of vengeance.
With the prosecutor acknowledging that Mohammed acted alone and that his family had no prior knowledge of the attack, questions arise regarding the fairness and proportionality of the punitive demolition.
The issue now brings attention to the minimum age of criminal responsibility in Israel, which is set at 12 years. Human rights experts, including the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, advocate for an increase to at least 14 years of age. This case involving a 13-year-old Palestinian boy underscores the need for further examination of this matter.
As the demolition order stands, Mohammed’s family awaits an uncertain and potentially devastating future, while Mohammed himself faces a lengthy sentence for a crime he insists he did not commit. The outcome of this case is being closely monitored and will undoubtedly shape discussions surrounding Israel’s adherence to international law and the treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories.
