Rightists protest at Sur Bahir entrance

IDF might seal, not demolish, home of bulldozer terrorist since another family lives inside building.

By JPOSTLEO GIOSUÈCOM STAFF, YAAKOV KATZ
dwayat house 224.88 (photo credit: )
dwayat house 224.88
(photo credit: )
Some 30 right-wing activists demonstrated Sunday at the entrance to the southeast Jerusalem village of Sur Bahir, calling for the demolition of the home of Husam Taysir Dwayat, who killed three Israelis during a bulldozer rampage in the capital on Wednesday. The demonstrators, accompanied by police, marched from Jerusalem suburb Armon Hanatziv to the square at the entrance to the Palestinian village, led by right-wing extremists Itamar Ben-Gvir and Baruch Marzel. Police didn't allow the demonstrators to march beyond the square and the protesters complained that police had broken a previous agreement to ensure villagers would be able to see the demonstration. An angry Ben-Gvir shouted toward the police officers, saying the police were "against freedom of expression." Defense officials said Saturday that the IDF was considering sealing and not demolishing the terrorist's home since another family lives inside the building. On Friday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak instructed the IDF to begin the process of issuing demolition orders against the homes of Dwayat and Ala Abu Dhaim of Jebl Mukaber, who killed eight students in the Merkaz Harav Yeshiva in March. On Thursday, Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz informed the government that by law, Israel has the right to demolish terrorists' homes within areas of Israeli sovereignty, but that doing so could raise "significant legal problems." The statement was included in a legal opinion submitted to the government following consultations between the army and the State Attorney's Office earlier in the day on the question of house demolitions. According to Mazuz, "In view of the rulings of the High Court of Justice over many years, it cannot be said that there is a legal obstacle to activating the authority to demolish homes," he said. Barak instructed OC Home Front Command Maj.-Gen. Yair Golan, who is responsible for demolishing homes inside Israel, to begin the demolition process. Officials said that the terrorists' families are expected to petition the High Court against the demolition orders. The officials also said that since another family lives inside the Dwayat family home in Sur Bahir the IDF was considering the possibility of sealing the home with concrete but not demolishing it.