In January 2017, the Israeli government demolished 11 buildings being built by 4 families, on the grounds that they were built without permits. The families were given two days notice, which they said was insufficient for any legal response. The mayor of Qalansawe, who announced his resignation, said that he had fought unsuccessfully for years for an expansion of the town's building plan, forcing the residents to build on agricultural land. Thousands of people rallied in support of the village and a one-day strike was called.