Israeli forces disperses anti-demolition protesters in West Bank

Israeli forces have dispersed several dozen Palestinians protesting the planned demolitions of homes in an east Jerusalem village.

About 50 Palestinians gathered Saturday at Sur Baher, which straddles Israel's West Bank separation barrier, in solidarity with owners of homes close to the wall.

Witnesses say Israeli forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to end the rally.

Israel says the 10 buildings, located on the West Bank side of the barrier, were erected too close to the structure. 

Palestinian officials urged diplomats on Tuesday to take action to prevent Israel from carrying out the demolition order.

Diplomats from around 20 mostly European countries toured the area where the demolition orders have been given. 

Palestinians accuse Israel of using security as a pretext to force them out of the area as part of long-term efforts to expand settlements and roads linked them.

They also point out that most of the buildings are located in areas meant to be under Palestinian Authority civilian control under the Oslo accords.

"When the house is demolished, we will be in the streets," Ismail Abadiyeh, 42, who lives in one of the buildings under threat with his family, including four children, told the diplomats.

Palestinian buildings which have been issued demolition notices in the Palestinian village of Sur Baher in East Jerusalem [AFP/Getty]

French consul general for Jerusalem, Pierre Cochard, told journalists he did not think the security explanation provided by Israel was sufficient to move ahead with demolitions.

"I think it's important to underline that we cannot deny their right," Cochard said, referring to the families living in the homes. "They are here in Palestinian territory."

Palestinian governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith said "we are looking for serious actions from your governments to stop these continuous crimes."

An Israeli high court ruling last month dismissed a petition by Palestinian residents requesting the cancellation of a military order prohibiting construction.

Read more: Dozens of Palestinian schools at risk of Israeli demolition

On June 18, residents received a 30-day notice from Israeli authorities informing them of their intent to demolish the homes.

According to UN humanitarian affairs agency OCHA, the ruling affects 10 buildings already built or under construction, including around 70 apartments.

Some 17 people would be displaced and around 350 others affected, OCHA said.

Residents fear another 100 buildings in the area in a similar situation could be at risk in the near future.

Israel's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Israeli authorities regularly carry out demolitions of what they consider illegal construction by Palestinians in east Jerusalem and the West Bank.

It is extremely difficult for Palestinians to receive construction permits from Israeli authorities in areas under their control, and Palestinians and rights activists say a housing shortage has resulted.

Israel occupied the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War. It later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community.

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