US slams punitive razing of family home of Tapuach junction terrorist

JULY 8, 2021 11:56

“The home of an entire family should not be demolished for the actions of one individual,” the US Embassy spokesperson in Jerusalem said on Thursday.

“We believe it is critical for all parties to refrain from unilateral steps that exacerbate tensions and undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution, this certainly includes the punitive demolition of Palestinian homes,” the spokesperson added.

Late Wednesday night,  IDF demolished the home located in Turrmus Aiya near Ramallah, the IDF reported.

The High Court of Justice had rejected a petition against the demolition as well as a subsequent appeal, filed by the left-wing NGO HaMoked. It had argued that the structure was not Shalabi’s primary home, but rather that of his estranged wife from whom he separated years ago.

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“This was the only home of a women who had effectively separated from the suspect years ago, while he lived most of the time with his other wives and children in homes he owned in the United States. Thus, the suspect did not have significant “residential ties” to the house,” HaMoked said,

It also argued that Shalabi suffered from mental illness and had “repeatedly stated that he was motivated by suicidal thoughts.”

Shalabi was indicted in June on charges of murdering Guetta, as well as for the attempted murder of two students, also injured in the shooting.

Five other Palestinians were also indicted for the obstruction of justice as they provided Shalabi with a hiding place during the initial manhunt.