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Dear Friends,
In one week, entire sections of al-Walaja, a Palestinian agricultural village on the southern outskirts of Jerusalem, could look like this:
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The aftermath of a home demolition in Al-Walaja
November 9, 2021
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This home belonged to the Abu Tin family, the third brother in one extended family to have his home demolished and his family left without a roof over their heads. In this specific home, one of the brothers lived with his wife and daughter, who was about to get married. His newly married son and daughter-in-law also lived there with him.
Those of you who attended our virtual event “Al-Walaja: A Community in Danger” know this family: The brothers of Hassan Abu Tin, who spoke to us so passionately about his village, are those whose homes are no longer standing.
Why did this happen, you might ask?
Part of al-Walaja was annexed to Israel and became part of the Jerusalem Municipality in 1967. Despite this, the Israeli authorities have been refusing to approve an outline plan for the village for decades. This means that all construction since 1967 – needed in order to support the growing community - has been deemed "illegal" and therefore subject to demolition. In fact, roughly half of the homes in the annexed part of al-Walaja have received demolition orders, and approximately 30 have already been demolished since 2016.
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Al Walaja: The Situation Explained
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On December 26, a decisive Supreme Court hearing will be held on an appeal currently protecting 38 homes in Al-Walaja from demolition. If the appeal is dismissed, the freeze would be lifted, and these homes would be at imminent risk of being razed.
Some 300 Palestinians would lose their homes just like the Abu Tin brothers.
Over the years, Ir Amim has worked closely with the residents of Al-Walaja. We've:
- Assisted the village’s residents to submit a zoning plan that would allow for the residential development of their community and would legalize their homes that are currently under pending demolition orders.
- Filed legal petitions alongside residents against the Israeli authorities' refusal to review and subsequent rejection of the residents' prepared zoning plans.
- Lobbied Israeli officials to promote proper urban planning policies for the community.
Support our work in advancing equitable residential development policies for the neighborhoods of East Jerusalem that protect every family’s right to their home and shelter.
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Wishing a Merry Christmas to those who celebrate,
Ir Amim Staff
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Want to learn more about Ir Amim's work? Watch our virtual discussions below:
- An Annexed Jerusalem: Settlements, Society, and Separation, featuring Ir Amim's Senior Field Researcher Aviv Tatarsky and Palestinian East Jerusalemite cultural leader Mahmoud Mouna.
- From "United" Jerusalem to Greater Jerusalem: Annexation 1967-2020, featuring acclaimed professor of policy, Menachem Klein, and East Jerusalemite civil society & social justice activist Nivine Sandouka.
- Ir Amim and Breaking the Silence - A City Annexed Together, featuring Breaking the Silence's Executive Director, Avner Gvaryahu, Ir Amim's Executive Director, Yudith Oppenheimer, and Hoqoqna - Our Rights' Executive Director, Nivine Sandouka.
- A Conversation with Prof. Naomi Chazan and Atty. Ziad AbuZayyad, featuring former Palestinian Authority minister, Atty. Ziad AbuZayyad, and former Israeli Knesset member Prof. Naomi Chazan, exploring the long-term effects of the Trump days and if we have better days ahead.
- Silwan & Sheikh Jarrah: Not a 'Real-Estate' Dispute, Ir Amim's virtual conference on measures of mass displacement of Palestinians from East Jerusalem.
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