JERUSALEM (AP) – Palestinians are striking to protest Israeli demolition orders of homes in east Jerusalem. Shops and schools were shuttered throughout the West Bank and Arab neighborhoods of east Jerusalem on Saturday after Palestinian officials announced the strike.

Official Hatem Abdul Qader says the strike was called after municipal officials and security forces visited several homes in the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan in east Jerusalem. That spiked fears that the homes would be imminently demolished.

Municipal officials issued orders to demolish 88 illegally built homes in the neighborhood in 2005. They say they are simply imposing the law.

Palestinians say it’s difficult to obtain building permits in Arab neighborhoods, forcing them to build illegally.