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SvennoJ 3 days ago
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Israel set to approve more than 1,000 settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem

The Jerusalem Governorate has expressed its grave concerns about Israel’s plans to approve the construction of more than 1,000 settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem.

In a statement, the Jerusalem Governorate said these plans fall within a systematic colonial policy that aims to swallow up the remaining Palestinian lands, change the demographic reality and national identity of Jerusalem, and impose an occupation reality through the Judaization “Greater Jerusalem” project, which is considered a war crime under international law.

Under the Israeli plan, 380 settlement units will be built in the Nof Zion settlement near the Jabal al-Mukaber area in addition to a school, two synagogues, and commercial areas, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported.

The broadcaster said 650 settlement units, commercial areas, a school, a synagogue, a community centre, and kindergartens will also be built between Kibbutz Ramat Rachel and the Jabal Abu Ghneim (also known as Har Homa) settlements near the Palestinian neighborhood of Sur Baher in southern East Jerusalem.

All settlements built on Palestinian lands are considered illegal under international laws.


Israel demolishes Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem during Ramadan

Israeli forces demolished at least four buildings in occupied East Jerusalem during the first week of Ramadan, affecting at least six farming families, Israeli human rights group Ir Amim has reported.

These included a residential home in Beit Hanina and three apartments in the al-Isawiya neighbourhood. This is the first time that demolitions take place during the Muslim holy month, the group said.

According to Ir Amim records, at least 181 apartments have been demolished last year compared with 140 in 2023. In the first two months of this year, 46 buildings have been demolished – “and the trend is only expanding”, read the report.

“Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem are forced to build without permits due to Israel’s discriminatory and racist planning policy that prevents them from obtaining building permits. As a result, many live in daily fear of demolition,” it added.


Israeli forces injure Palestinian journalist: Reports

Journalist Yousef Shehadeh has been injured after Israeli forces stormed the town of Rafat, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem, according to media reports.

Shehadeh and other local journalists were covering the Israeli army’s demolition of the home of Hayel Daifallah accused of being the perpetrator of the ramming attack near the Givat Asaf illegal settlement months ago.


Israel demolished record number of Palestinian structures in 2024: Israeli rights group

An Israeli rights group, Ir Amim, says Israel demolished a record number of Palestinian homes in occupied East Jerusalem last year.

The organisation, which tracks settlement activity and demolitions in the city, said that 181 homes and dozens of other structures were destroyed last year.

Israel also appears to have dropped a longstanding policy against demolishing homes during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began last weekend, the group stated. It said a residential building and three apartments have been destroyed over the past week.

According to rights groups, discriminatory policies make it nearly impossible for Palestinians to expand or redevelop their neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem, forcing many to build without permits – often the reason Israeli forces tout for demolishing Palestinian structures.