The Israeli Knesset's Interior and Environment Committee has approved the controversial Planning and Building Law which will expedite demolition of Palestinian homes with greater ease. 
The Israeli Knesset will vote on the law on Wednesday. 
MK Abdullah Abu Maaruf said the bill was "yet another law that expresses the continued policy of the Netanyahu government of discrimination against Israel's Arab citizens". 
"The law will impose heavy and cruel fines and expedite the demolition of unregulated houses," he added. 
The bill reportedly aims to tackle the issue of illegal construction in Arab communities in Palestine. Critics in the Palestinian media say the law does not address the issue of illegal settlement construction in occupied territories however. 
One report by the news website (Arab48) called the law "racist", saying it "completely ignored the political harassment" visited upon Palestinian communities. 
According to a report by Deputy Attorney General Erez Kamitz, Israeli planning officials claim there are 50,000 buildings built without permits in Arab communities. 
Yet Palestinian NGOs regularly report that it is almost impossible to receive a building permit for Palestinians to build houses. 
Only 188 of the 3,238 building permits issued in Jerusalem in 2015 were given to Palestinian residents.

Source: QNA