East Jerusalem residents face home demolitions for biblical park expansion
The Jerusalem municipality plans to tear down homes in the Al-Bustan neighborhood to make way for an archaeology and tourism park in Silwan.
In East Jerusalem, long-time resident Yusra Qwaider, aged 97 and bedridden, faces the demolition of her home within days.
This will be the third time she has lost a home, making way for an archaeology and tourism park in Silwan, adjacent to the Old City.
The Al-Bustan neighborhood, where she lives with twelve family members, is considered by the municipality as being built on land zoned for a public park, hence deemed 'illicit.'
So far this year, 17 homes have been demolished compared to 13 in 2025 and 24 the previous year.
The NGO Ir Amim claims that since Hamas's October 2023 attack, demolitions have escalated, threatening all 115 homes in Al-Bustan.
This acceleration is attributed to the municipality's sudden halt of negotiations for a proper housing solution.
Thousands of homes in annexed East Jerusalem were constructed without permits, a challenge faced by Palestinian residents who find it nearly impossible to obtain them.
The municipality maintains that Al-Bustan was never designated for residential use and has attempted over years to find solutions that include alternative housing but claims the residents have not demonstrated serious intentions.
The demolition is part of the City of David archaeology and tourism project's expansion, aiming to create 'King’s Garden' park.
This move aims to connect with the ancient Jerusalem narrative, yet critics argue the rationale behind the demolitions is rooted in a strategy to Judaize the area at the expense of its Palestinian residents.
The situation has reached urgent levels, with over 2,000 Palestinians near Jerusalem's holiest sites facing displacement if evictions continue.
Critics argue that not only are homes being demolished, but Palestinians are also barred from obtaining building permits or having their residences recognized, contrasting sharply with the treatment of Jewish settlers in the area.
For residents like 60-year-old Omar Abu Rajab, the reality is bitter and immediate.
Facing demolition costs he cannot afford, he opted to self-demolish his home, accumulating substantial fines for doing so.
His family now faces the loss of their land and home as they prepare to move into another relative’s house, itself under similar threat.
The situation in Al-Bustan highlights the deep-seated issues of housing rights, permit acquisition, and displacement faced by Palestinian residents in East Jerusalem, a plight that continues to draw international concern.
This will be the third time she has lost a home, making way for an archaeology and tourism park in Silwan, adjacent to the Old City.
The Al-Bustan neighborhood, where she lives with twelve family members, is considered by the municipality as being built on land zoned for a public park, hence deemed 'illicit.'
So far this year, 17 homes have been demolished compared to 13 in 2025 and 24 the previous year.
The NGO Ir Amim claims that since Hamas's October 2023 attack, demolitions have escalated, threatening all 115 homes in Al-Bustan.
This acceleration is attributed to the municipality's sudden halt of negotiations for a proper housing solution.
Thousands of homes in annexed East Jerusalem were constructed without permits, a challenge faced by Palestinian residents who find it nearly impossible to obtain them.
The municipality maintains that Al-Bustan was never designated for residential use and has attempted over years to find solutions that include alternative housing but claims the residents have not demonstrated serious intentions.
The demolition is part of the City of David archaeology and tourism project's expansion, aiming to create 'King’s Garden' park.
This move aims to connect with the ancient Jerusalem narrative, yet critics argue the rationale behind the demolitions is rooted in a strategy to Judaize the area at the expense of its Palestinian residents.
The situation has reached urgent levels, with over 2,000 Palestinians near Jerusalem's holiest sites facing displacement if evictions continue.
Critics argue that not only are homes being demolished, but Palestinians are also barred from obtaining building permits or having their residences recognized, contrasting sharply with the treatment of Jewish settlers in the area.
For residents like 60-year-old Omar Abu Rajab, the reality is bitter and immediate.
Facing demolition costs he cannot afford, he opted to self-demolish his home, accumulating substantial fines for doing so.
His family now faces the loss of their land and home as they prepare to move into another relative’s house, itself under similar threat.
The situation in Al-Bustan highlights the deep-seated issues of housing rights, permit acquisition, and displacement faced by Palestinian residents in East Jerusalem, a plight that continues to draw international concern.
