The modest one-story building was constructed seven years ago by the married Palestinian father of four on land he owns and where his family has resided for many generations.
However, Ahmad never possessed a valid building permit.
He resides in East Jerusalem’s Jabal Mukaber neighborhood. One of the most crowded and hotly contested areas of the area, it is visible from the Old City and its numerous ancient religious sites. Although it was later annexed after Israel took it from Jordan during the 1967 Middle East War, it is generally recognized as Palestinian territory worldwide.
