Planners for Planning Rights (an Israeli human rights organization) reported that “Israeli authorities registered real estate in the city of East Jerusalem in the names of Jewish citizens” and indicated that “the registration took place as part of a land agreement.” Law.” without the knowledge of the Palestinian population.

The Foundation’s report states that “land settlement procedures have been carried out in some areas of East Jerusalem, including in the Umm Haroun area of ​​Sheikh Jarrah, where approximately 45 Palestinian families live in approximately 40 buildings,” adding that “the land settlement procedures have been completed.” without the knowledge of the residents. The rights in the title deed were registered in the names of the Jews who owned the land before 1948.”

Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah’s Umm Haroun area face the threat of deportation from their homes where they have lived for decades.

The foundation said, “In recent years, the Israeli government has pushed for the settlement of land in East Jerusalem, which threatens the Palestinians living in the city.” The Israeli Ministry of Justice has begun promoting the registration of a number of land pools in East Jerusalem.

She pointed out that “although the settlement is moving forward as part of a government decision, allegedly with the goal of (creating a better future for the people of East Jerusalem), the way the settlement is being implemented and moving forward, especially in the lands Israel claims Jewish ownership, raises concerns. that the settlement will be aimed at promoting the construction of new settlements or the construction of government projects in East Jerusalem.”

She pointed out in this regard that “the Israeli Ministry of Justice recently issued a statement on the start of the settlement of large areas in the Palestinian neighborhood of Al-Tauri (Abu Tur) and in the area south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.” And she continued: “In the early days, it was proposed to carry out land settlement on French Hill, in the area where it is planned to establish a new settlement called (Givat Hashkid), and in the area intended for the expansion of the settlement. from Ramot, which already exists (in the west).”

In turn, engineer Sri Krunish of the Foundation said: “The more time passes, the more we see that the settlement of the land is used in the interests of the state and the settlement project, and not in the interests of the inhabitants of East Jerusalem.” “Land leveling is an important undertaking to kick-start urban development, but as long as it happens in the dark and against the interests of the residents, it is better to stop it,” she added.

The Fund provides assistance to Palestinians, residents of East Jerusalem and the West Bank, in connection with the “land settlement” scheme. In this regard, the Foundation has released a brochure with information and rights to settle land in East Jerusalem.

Palestinians have expressed concerns that “the Land Settlement Law aims to confiscate their property in East Jerusalem for the benefit of Israeli settlers.”

East Jerusalem is home to 375,000 Palestinians, representing 39 per cent of the population of the eastern and western parts of the city.

Palestinians live on 13 percent of East Jerusalem’s land after Israel confiscated 35 percent of it for “public interest” and handed it over for the purpose of settlement, while 52 percent was classified as green space where construction is prohibited. , or for street construction purposes.