The Israeli Knesset intends to ratify the amendment 109 of the Planning and Construction Law next week which aims to accelerate and intensify demolition operations in the 1948 occupied Palestinian territories.
According to the website Arabs 48 a group of extreme right-wing associations sponsors this bill including Rgafim association which was found by the extremist settler MK Bezalel Smotrich.
The Knesset Interior Committee will start voting on the bill next Tuesday in a prelude for a final approval by the Knesset before 22nd March.
Kaminitz Law- amendment 109 of the Planning and Construction Law stipulates expanding the powers of planning committees in issuing and implementing demolition orders against unlicensed buildings reducing the powers of courts in postponing demolition orders raising fines and tightening criminal proceedings against homeowners and whoever contributes to unlicensed buildings including contractors and engineers.
The amendment aims to turn demolition orders to administrative orders that can be issued by inspectors and force local authorities to implement these orders.
Mossawa Center and the Arab Center for Alternative Planning as well as the Committee of Heads of Local Authorities MPs political parties and popular committees are exerting efforts to create a popular presence inside and outside the Knesset Interior Committee during the vote.
Both Mossawa and the Arab Center affirmed that what had happened in Umm al-Hiran and Qalansuwa was based on the current Planning and Construction Law which means that passing the new bill while tighten the noose on the Arab masses in 1948 occupied Palestine and entail greater tragedies.
