A quarterly report on Israeli violations in the area of Jerusalem

A quarterly report on Israeli violations in the area of Jerusalem

May 1^st-July 31^st, 2001

August 2001

The Israeli violations continue unabated against the Palestinian people and properties all over the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The following report highlights these violations during the period from May 1.5.2001 up to 31.7.2001:

Israeli violations in Jerusalem district

5.5.2001

- The Municipality of Ehud Olmert decided to erect a fence in the northern edge of Atarot industrial zone north of Jerusalem. The fence is going to be 1 kilometer long by 2.5 meters high.

- The district committee for planning and construction in Jerusalem ratified a plan to build 300 housing units in the residential quarter of Shabir near the French hill.

7.5 The district committee for planning and construction in Jerusalem ratified a plan to construct 12 residential units on 5 dunums of land owned by Aziz Shehada and Sulieman Hijazi located on the main Jerusalem- Ramallah road in Sheik Jarrah. The land was confiscated with the aim of constructing a bus station. The occupation authorities claim that they inherited this piece of land from the Jordanian municipality which was responsible before the war of 1967.

8.5 Israeli bulldozers demolished a house owned by Abed Talhami in Beit Hanina. The house was 180 m2 and a family of 7 members lived in it. The demolition was carried out under the pretext of unlicensing although an Israeli court was supposed to decide about it on may 25^th.

9.5 - Jerusalem Minicipality, in cooperation with the Israeli electric company, are digging in the only street leading to 7 Palestinian houses situated on the main road linking between the village of Al- Zu’im and Shu’fat close to the French hill. These encroachments come as part of the Israeli on going policy to dispel Palestinians out of the area.

- The Israeli ministry of interior is considering the closure of 11 Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem. These Institutions are: The Orient House, Prisoners’ Club, Al- Quds University, House of Commerce, Palestinian Tourist office, Research and Publication Institute, Social Well fare office, Women Affairs Office, Palestinian Center For Micro project Development, Housing Office and Administration of High education.

12.5 Land dealers forged and sold to an Israeli company the ownership of 18 dunums of land in Beit Safafa. The land is owned by a Palestinian man from Beit Safafa who is 69 years old.

14.5 An Israeli colonist from Ma’ale Michmas, robbed under gun point a number of sheep belonging to Mahmud Salem from Hizma town north east of Jerusalem. The owner managed to register the car number of the robber colonist and gave it to Israeli police. However, no measures have been taken on part of the Israeli police.

15.5 The Israeli ministerial committee for Jerusalem affairs endorsed the construction of the eastern ring road which entails the confiscation of hundreds of dunums of Palestinian owned land and the destruction of many Palestinian houses.

21.5 A new bypass road is under construction to link between the main road near the town of Bido and the colony of Samuel north of the city of Jerusalem. Consequently, large areas of Palestinian land is now encircled between the new road and the colony. Land owners fear that their land will be confiscated in the future and annexed to the colony. A number of old trees were uprooted during work belonging to Abed Rabu Abed Barakat and heirs of Mohammed Yusif.

23.5 Two houses were destroyed in Jerusalem under the pretext of un-licensing; the first is located on Mount Olives and inhabited by 16 people whose owned by Kayed Jaradat and the second in Jabel Al- Mukaber and inhabited by 17 people whose owned by Mohammed Ja’afreh.

30.5 - The Israeli occupation authorities seized 18 dunums of Palestinian land in Al- Zu’im village in the eastern edges of Jerusalem as part of the eastern ring road.

- The Israeli occupation authorities issued an order to build 493 in Ma’aleh Adumim east of Jerusalem.

2.6 The Israeli ministry of housing ratified the construction of 314 housing units in the colony of Adem north of the city to be added to already built 500 units.

8.6 Israeli colonists continue to attack Palestinians living in the old city of Jerusalem, especially in Al- Wad quarter, by throwing stones and empty bottles at their houses and properties. Mr. Abu- Izz Al- Yasini was amongst those attacked.

9.6 The Hebrew university intends to build 2000 residential rooms for its students on a total area of 25 dunums near Hayat Regency Hotel in the French hill.

12.6 The Israeli occupation authorities demolished two flats owned by brothers Samih and Faraj Hirbawi in Wadi Qadum quarter. The flats were built over a total area of 270 m2. 15 people used to live in the two flats which were demolished because of their location near a bypass road.

23.6 The Israeli local committee for planning and construction started preparations to confiscate Palestinian land adjacent to the regional police headquarters in Sheik Jarrah and French Hill. The confiscation of the land is going to be part of preparing the infrastructure for the construction of light train railway project supposed to link between the colony of Bisgat Ze’ev and the police headquarters. 52 dunums adjacent to the main Ramallah- Jerusalem road will be seized for the aforementioned project.

24.6 The planning and engineering Department of the Israeli ministry of housing announced a tender to build 2900 housing units in Jabel Abu- Ghuneim colony.

27.6 - Works are underway to finish the construction of 1.5 kilometers long tunnel under Mount Scopus. The last stage of the project entails building a bridge in the French hill. This tunnel is part of a series of tunnels which aim at linking Israeli colonies around the city of Jerusalem and, at the same time, isolating Palestinian villages in the area. So far, 52 dunums of Palestinian land have been confiscated for this project.

- The Israeli occupation government receives offers from Israeli contractors to build 38 housing units in Ma’aleh Adumim colony.

3.7 For the third running day, Israeli bulldozers continue to devastate hundreds of dunums of Palestinian land belonging to the villages of Al- Ram, Jaba’ and Hizma. A new colony will be built on the confiscated land. The owners of the land have been un able to enter their land since a year.

5.7 Israeli bulldozers demolished a building in Beit Hanina owned by Rasem Abed El-Wahid and Rajeh Hawarin in Tel Al-Ghul. The destroyed building contained two apartments with a total area of 300 m2. Earlier, the two owners applied for a building license and paid 800 NIS fees.

9.6 25 families from Shu’fat refugee camp received demolition orders of their houses for un-licensing. Some of the threatened houses are owned by Samih Al- Birawi, Jamal and Jalal Faqih, Nadia Alqam, Ihab Dweik, Ahmad Abu-Ghalia and AbdulFattah Al-Fir. The Jerusalem municipality plans to build a park for Bisgat Ze’ev colony in their places.

10.7 17 houses out of the aforementioned 25 were destroyed causing the homelessness of 300 people.

12.7 Dozens of fruitful trees of different types were uprooted in Al- Abed area located between Jabel Al- Mukaber and Abu-Dis towns.

15.6 Israeli bulldozers destroyed a 400 meter long road linking between the town of Sur Baher and the village of Dar Salah near Obaideya south east of Jerusalem.