Israeli Court Clears Demolition of 25 Palestinian Homes in West Bank Camp

Israel's Supreme Court has approved a military order to demolish 25 Palestinian homes in the Nur Shams refugee camp. The camp is located in the northern West Bank. The court rejected an appeal by the families living in the structures. It ruled the buildings were constructed without the required Israeli permits. Israel states the demolitions are for security reasons. It says the buildings are too close to a military barrier and a road used by soldiers. Palestinian residents and rights groups call the permit system discriminatory. They say it is nearly impossible for Palestinians to get building approval in areas under full Israeli control. They view such demolitions as collective punishment. The United Nations has recorded thousands of Palestinian structures in the West Bank demolished over recent years. The Israeli military has not announced a date for the demolitions in Nur Shams.