East Jerusalem Demolitions Raise Displacement Fears

Jerusalem is witnessing a growing wave of Palestinian home demolitions and eviction threats, as Israeli authorities accelerate redevelopment and settlement-related projects in East Jerusalem.

In the al-Bustan section of Silwan, just south of Jerusalem’s Old City, demolition crews have destroyed dozens of Palestinian-owned properties since late 2023. Residents say the pace of demolitions has increased significantly while international attention remains focused on conflicts elsewhere in the Middle East.

Among those affected is 58-year-old Fayez Awad, whose family home was partially demolished. Sitting in what remains of the property, he described the destruction as the loss of a lifetime of effort.

“We spent years building this house,” Awad said. “Everything we achieved has been taken away, and we are starting over from nothing.”

Jerusalem remains one of the most contested cities in the world. Israel captured East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed it, a move that is not recognized by most of the international community. Palestinians view East Jerusalem as the future capital of an independent Palestinian state, while Israel considers the entire city its capital.

For years, Israeli municipal authorities have promoted plans to transform al-Bustan into a biblical-themed public park known as the King’s Garden. The project has faced strong opposition from local Palestinian residents, who argue that it would come at the expense of long-established communities.

The Jerusalem Municipality says the project is intended to improve public spaces and benefit residents of the city. However, critics argue that Palestinian communities face significant obstacles in obtaining building permits, leaving many homes vulnerable to demolition.

According to Israeli planning rights organization Bimkom, Palestinians account for around 40 percent of Jerusalem’s population, yet only a small portion of newly approved housing projects in the city are designated for Palestinian communities.

Residents of al-Bustan say nearly half of the neighborhood’s homes have already been demolished. Many families have chosen to tear down their own houses to avoid the high demolition costs and fines that authorities often impose after forced demolitions.

Local activist Fakhri Abu Diab said residents fear additional demolitions in the coming months. His own family home has already been destroyed, and he now faces possible eviction from temporary housing established near the site.

He accused authorities of taking advantage of the current regional situation to advance policies that could permanently alter the demographic balance of the area.

International law considers settlements established in occupied territories illegal, a position supported by much of the international community. Israel disputes some aspects of these interpretations.

Across East Jerusalem and the West Bank, Israel has built numerous settlements that are now home to hundreds of thousands of Israeli residents. At the same time, Palestinian families continue to face legal challenges over property ownership and residency rights.

The United Nations estimates that approximately 900 Palestinians from around 200 households are currently involved in eviction cases before Israeli courts, many of them linked to claims filed by settler organizations.

Another ongoing dispute involves members of the Basha family in Jerusalem’s Old City. The family has lived for decades in part of a historic building connected to a Jewish religious school. Israeli courts recently ruled that the remaining family members must leave the property, although a temporary injunction has delayed the eviction while legal appeals are considered.

Seventy-six-year-old Mufid Basha said his family has nowhere else to go and fears losing the only home they have known for generations.

Human rights organizations have also raised concerns about land registration procedures introduced in East Jerusalem in recent years. Critics argue that these measures could contribute to further Palestinian displacement and increased state control over disputed properties.

Researchers from Israeli advocacy groups say many Palestinians in Jerusalem increasingly feel insecure about their future, even within their own homes. They argue that current government policies are reshaping the city in ways that reduce Palestinian influence and presence.

Recent planning approvals have added to those concerns. Authorities have advanced proposals for a large ultra-Orthodox Jewish educational complex near Sheikh Jarrah and launched reviews concerning the status of additional Palestinian-owned properties near the al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Amid the uncertainty, local residents continue to appeal to the international community for support. The European Union recently described conditions in East Jerusalem, particularly in Silwan, as alarming and reiterated its opposition to Israeli settlement expansion.

For many families, the issue is deeply personal. Ninety-seven-year-old Yusra Qweider, who has experienced multiple displacements since 1948, now faces the possibility of losing the home where she has lived for more than 50 years.

Confined to her bed due to illness, she said she remains hopeful despite the uncertainty.

“They want us to leave,” she said. “I cannot walk, and I am very sick. We place our trust in God.”