Court turns back petitions against terrorist home demolitions

The High Court of Justice upholds demolition orders against the homes of five Palestinians accused of murdering Israelis.

The homes in question are those of the alleged murderers of Danny Gonen and Malachi Rosenfeld, who were killed in separate West Bank drive-by shootings this year, as well those belonging to the families of three Hamas members accused of killing Eitam and Naama Henkin, also in the West Bank, on October 1.

However, the court does cancel one demolition order, saying it was issued for a rented apartment in a large building, and that demolishing that unit would be disproportionate.

The petition against that demolition order was filed by the owner of the building.

According to a statement from the court, the panel of judges, headed by court president Miriam Naor, also rejected an appeal against the entire practice of home demolitions.

— Raoul Wootliff contributed.