Arab Israelis Protest Demolition of Illegal Structures

YERUSHALAYIM (AP) —

Hundreds of protesters from Israel’s Arab minority took to the streets Wednesday in response to the demolition of 11 homes built without proper permits by Israeli authorities, while Israeli Arab leaders called for a general strike in all their towns and villages.

Yousef Jabareen, an Arab member of the Knesset, called the demolition in the central city of Kalansua “unprecedented” and vowed to fight further measures.

He said the source of the problem were long-standing barriers placed by the state that prevent Arabs from acquiring proper building permits.

Hundreds of protesters in Kalansua chanted in Arabic: “Netanyahu coward, this is our land and we are here.”

The Israeli government has recently vowed to crack down harder on illegal Arab building, especially in light of the court-ordered evacuation of the illegal Jewish outpost in Amona.

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