New Wave of Demolitions Threatens Arab Towns, With Election Day Set for Some

Court orders to demolish homes in the Arab town of Taybeh have been temporarily frozen following a legal appeal. Lawyer Dr. Qais Nasser filed a petition with the Netanya Magistrate's Court on behalf of the Abu Mutir family, whose homes were slated for demolition. These demolition orders, originally issued in 2011, were reactivated by the National Council for Planning and Building two weeks prior, despite years of legal and planning procedures that had prevented their execution.

Nasser stated that the state had effectively abandoned its intention to carry out these demolitions years ago, with homeowners even reclaiming financial guarantees posted to freeze the orders about two years ago. He filed a petition last week seeking the permanent cancellation of the orders, and the court has now suspended their execution pending a final decision, providing temporary relief to the families whose homes were built between 2005 and 2007.

Nasser expressed concern that the reactivation of old demolition orders, especially after such a long period and with upcoming elections, raises questions about the motives behind these actions. He revealed that this situation is not isolated to Taybeh, as he is handling similar cases involving the Israel Land Authority in other Arab communities.

He disclosed that dozens of demolition and eviction orders are active in Tamra, Nahf, and other villages in the Galilee. Notably, some of these demolition dates are set for October 27, 2026, coinciding with the Knesset elections. Nasser described this timing as having a political dimension, potentially threatening Arab citizens with eviction on election day.

According to Nasser's review of files, Tamra alone faces approximately 26 demolition orders scheduled for execution, some on election day and others in early November. He emphasized that these cases involve old decisions, not recent violations, and that the current revival of these files warrants scrutiny. Nasser stressed the need for planning and legal solutions to regulate neighborhoods and license homes, rather than leaving families under the threat of outdated demolition orders. The temporary freeze in Taybeh is seen as a step, but the legal battle continues for permanent cancellation and neighborhood regularization.