NEW YORK -- Systematic home demolitions, severe travel restrictions, curfews and town blockades are cruel occupation policies aimed at intimidating Palestinians and making them leave their lands. Since the start of Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands in 1967, more than 10,000 homes have been demolished, only 600 of which have been occupied by people accused of security offenses. Unjustified demolition of Palestinian homes -- which has increased in intensity since the last intifada -- have had a serious negative impact on their health and quality of life, and will have serious consequences for the moral character of the state of Israel itself.

On Jan. 3, U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher repeated the Bush administration's position that although the U.S. recognizes Israel's "need to take legitimate antiterrorist action, steps such as the displacement of people through the demolition of homes and property exacerbate the humanitarian situation and undermine trust and confidence." In spite of that statement, demolitions have continued unabated.

Israeli soldiers are now demolishing whole towns and subdivisions. This is the case with Nazlat Issa in the West Bank and Raffah in Gaza. Demolitions are also carried out in Israel itself, such as that of a housing development in the Palestinian town of Kufer Kassem. The only accusation against the homeowners was that they lacked a building permit, which is unattainable.