International Double-Standard on House Demolitions

International opinion towards Israeli counterterrorism is biased and reflects a double-standard.

Israeli policy is to demolish the houses of Palestinian suicide bombers to exact a significant enough cost so that others choose not to emulate them. The policy is divisive, even within Israel. Critics argue that, if a bomber's family had no idea of his plans, why should it be punished. Israel examines each situation individually, but with bombers taking the lives of dozens of innocent Israelis with them, Israel is left with little choice but to try to deter more attacks.

The United Nations has condemned the practice and called upon Israel to "respect its obligations under international humanitarian law...not to undertake demolition of homes."

The U.S. State Department has said the "demolition of civilian structures deprives Palestinians of shelter and the ability to peacefully earn a livelihood" and "make[s] more difficult bringing an end to violence." However, with bombings now halted, it seems demolitions expedited, not prevented, an end to violence.

For several years, Nigeria has suffered from a pandemic of kidnaps-for-ransom, mostly of foreign-company workers in the oil-rich Niger Delta. More recently, however, as foreign workers have taken security precautions, kidnappers have begun to target more often local political leaders, the wealthy, and others.

Recently, the government of Nigeria's Enugu State announced that "any house used to harbor [kidnapped] hostages or found to be a hideout for kidnappers...will be demolished while the certificate of occupancy...will be revoked and the property seized by the government." The State's Governor said the government "would not accept any excuse from anybody.... No one is above the law. We will tackle the problem of kidnappers and violent crime in the state [one] hundred percent, not with kid gloves."

The announcement has prompted not one word of criticism or condemnation from the U.S. State Department, United Nations, or others. Nor should it. As long as Israelis are not doing the demolition, house demolition appears to be an internationally-acceptable strategy of helping to ensure public safety.