LATEST: Relatives Detained After Palestinian Teenager Stabs 2 Israeli Jews in West Bank

Israel’s Government defended its policy on the demolition of the homes of “Arab terrorists” — but not “Jewish terrorists” — in court on Wednesday.

State attorney Aner Hellman told the High Court of Justice that the aim of demolitions is to deter attacks, not to punish suspects.

Since there is no need to deter potential perpetrators in the Jewish community, Hellman explained, there is no point in demolishing the homes of Jewish suspects.

Eight human rights organizations had petitioned the court against the State’s policy, saying that demolition is collective punishment that violates international law.

The petitioners also claimed discrimination because demolitions are not carried out against Jews. They cited the case of the murderer of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, a Palestinian youth abducted, killed, and burned in July.

“Abu Khdeir is a shocking case. But there’s no widespread occurrence from which it is necessary to deter in the Jewish sector,” Helman responded. “If it’s not intended for deterrence, the clause [for demolitions] shouldn’t be implemented.”

Hellman also ruled out any reference to international law because “where the Israeli and international law clash, Israeli law takes precedence”.


Relatives Detained After Palestinian Teenager Stabs 2 Israeli Jews in West Bank

The father and two brothers of a 16-year-old Palestinian, suspected of stabbing two Israeli Jews, have been detained.

Ibrahim Salim Abu Sneineh is accused of the attack on the two people near a Jewish settlement in the West Bank. Abu Sneineh was then shot and security wounded by a security guard.

Later, his home was raided and his father and brothers seized.

Clashes broke out following the arrests, with five Palestinians injured by rubber-coated steel bullets fired by Israeli forces.