Family from Israel's Arab region forced to live in a cave after authorities demolish their home 'for building without a permit'

Khaled al-Zeer al-Husaini, 39, lives with his five children in a wooden shack built around the entrance of a cave (left) which was once used as an animals' stable. Three days ago, Israeli authorities pulled down his East Jerusalem family home (top right), under the pretext of planning laws, forcing the father to seek shelter in the Silwan-based cave

A family from Jerusalem's Arab region have been forced to live in a cave after Israeli authorities demolished their home claiming it had been built without a permit. Khaled al-Zeer al-Husaini, 39, lives with his five children in a wooden shack built around the entrance of a cave which was once used as an animals' stable. Three days ago, Israeli authorities pulled down his East Jerusalem family home, under the pretext of planning laws, forcing the father to seek shelter in the Silwan-based cave.

The holy city of Jerusalem has been divided between the Israeli and Palestinian territories for many decades, but Israeli settlements have gradually been sprawling further east occupying areas over the border-line. According to the Foundation for Middle East Peace, nearly 7,000 Israeli settlers moved into east Jerusalem in 2010 and the number is steadily rising. Arab East Jerusalem is now home to almost 200,000 Israelis - up from 175,000 in 2002.

 

Tensions have been rising these last few days between Israel and its neighbour, and violence has halted planned peace talks. This week Palestinian officials called off a planned round of peace talks after Israeli soldiers killed three protesters during clashes following an arrest raid in the West Bank.