The Palestinian Authority accused Israel of 'ethnically cleansing' east Jerusalem of Palestinians, following the tearing down of dozens of buildings in the capital's east.

"There is an unprecedented escalation of the Government of occupation and what they call the municipality of Jerusalem against the Palestinian presence in Jerusalem through the destruction of tens of houses and the issuance of demolition orders against dozens of others," said Nabil Abu Roudeina, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"This is an infuriating campaign by the municipality to 'Judaize' the city and expel the Palestinian population," he added.

The City of Jerusalem issued dozens of demolition orders against illegally built housed in the east Jerusalem

The UN has also expressed its concern at the measures applied against the Palestinian population in east Jerusalem, issuing a statement reading: "We are very concerned about the Israeli measures in East Jerusalem, including threats of further evictions and destruction of houses in several Palestinian neighborhoods of the city.

"We urge Israel to respond positively to calls from the community interventions to end these unacceptable actions."