Israeli High Court Approves the Demolition of the Home of Yusif Hamid Zurub in Rafah

On the morning of Tuesday 20 August 2002, the Israeli High Court gave permission to the Israeli military to proceed with the demolition of the home of Yusif Hamid Zurub in the Israeli-controlled Al Mawasi area in Rafah.
The house is 250 meters square and home to Mr.
Zurub’s family of 10.
On 15 August 2002, the High Court issued a temporary injunction against the demolition in order, following a series of appeals submitted to the judiciary consultant of Israeli Forces by Al Mezan Center for Human Rights.
After reviewing the case on 20 August 2002, the court finally rejected the appeal to cancel the demolition.
It should be mentioned that Yusif Hamid Zurub is the father of Asaad Zurub, who was convicted of stabbing an Israeli settler in the Rafih Yam settlement on 12 May 2002.
The Israeli military decided to demolish the house by way of punishing Asaad’s family.
Al Mezan declares that this decision is illegal and has been based upon political considerations.
Al Mezan also emphasizes that home demolitions are a method of collective punishment, and therefore constitute grave breaches of international and humanitarian laws.
The Center calls upon the international community to immediately intervene to halt Israeli aggression against Palestinian people and their property and to condemn the decision of the Israeli High Court which is in clear contravention of internationally accepted agreements and standards.
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