UUFSD PALESTINE/ISRAEL JUSTICE GROUP (PIJG) FACTS

REMOVAL OF PALESTINIANS FROM AL-BUSTAN NEIGHBORHOOD

Israeli authorities are accelerating the removal and demolition of Palestinian homes in the Al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan, East Jerusalem. The municipality aims to clear out the entire community of about 1,500 residents to build a biblical tourist theme park called the "King's Garden”. (http://peacenow.org.il/en/bustan-silwan)

Key Details of the Crisis:

Current Threat: Dozens of homes have been demolished, leaving hundreds homeless. The remaining 123 families (around 1,450 people) face imminent expulsion or are being forced to self-demolish their own properties to avoid heavy municipal fines.

The "King's Garden" Project: The land is slated to become an archaeological and tourist park directly linked to the nearby "City of David" site, which is operated by Israeli settler organizations.

Residents' Response: Palestinians in Al-Bustan have fought these evictions in legal battles spanning two decades, regularly proposing alternative urban planning maps to the municipality, which have consistently been rejected.

Human Rights Reports: Rights groups and international diplomatic missions tracking the region have repeatedly warned that these forced transfers constitute a severe violation of international law.

To track ongoing updates, track the documentation published by Peace Now or monitor the latest reports via B'Tselem regarding housing policies in East Jerusalem.