Israeli Authorities Demolish Home of Mother and Four Children in Western Galilee Over Illegal Construction
In the ecological community of Kalil in the Western Galilee, the Israeli authorities demolished the home of Einbal Kochav, a divorced kindergarten teacher and mother of four, on May 19, 2026. The house was built without a permit on agricultural land, which was slated for rezoning to residential use but remained legally unresolved due to ongoing litigation. Kochav had lived in a rented apartment in Kalil for years before beginning construction three years ago, believing the land was approved for residential development under the community's 2021 master plan.
Despite appeals to government ministers and the Prime Minister, who requested leniency, enforcement authorities arrived with police vehicles to carry out the demolition. Kochav was detained after refusing to leave the house, which was then destroyed while her children were at school. She described the event as unprecedented, noting that previous demolitions in the community involved abandoned structures rather than occupied family homes. The family has since faced a severe crisis but received support from friends and the local community, eventually securing a rental home nearby.
To fund their recovery, Kochav launched a crowdfunding campaign on Giveback, aiming to raise 800,000 shekels; half the amount was collected within a month from donors nationwide. The Planning Administration explained that the demolition was a legal administrative order against an unauthorized residential building on agricultural land, confirmed by the court. The building was identified during construction in 2023, and despite delays and legal stays, no permit was granted. The enforcement authority has issued multiple demolition orders in the area to prevent unsafe illegal construction.
The Mateh Asher Regional Council criticized the timing and morality of the demolition amid ongoing security threats faced by residents. Council head Moshe Davidovich attempted to halt or postpone the demolition but was unsuccessful. The council pledged welfare support for the family. On the upcoming Saturday evening, the family plans to hold a "Choosing Life" event at the demolished home site to thank supporters and mark the start of their rebuilding process.
