NGO reveals new ‘Grand Jerusalem’ plan
“Israel” intends to appropriate land in Bethlehem to expand the Jerusalem municipal boundaries, a Palestinian NGO revealed Tuesday.
The “Grand Jerusalem” plan would see the confiscation of 22.500 dunhams (5.55 acres), Jad Ishaq, the executive manager of the Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem told Ma’an.
The land is being seized under “Israel’s Absentee Property Law”, which converts land to what so-called Israel if the original owner is deemed absent from the land.
West Bank land is particularly vulnerable to appropriation under this “law”, as though residents remain on their land, not having a “Jerusalem ID” card places their status as “absent.”
The land or property is then placed under the purview of” Israel’s Custodian of Absentee Property”.
“Israel’s Supreme Court” approved the confiscation in September. The lands were placed under the Jerusalem 2020 plan in 2005.
The goal, he said, is further isolate Jerusalem from Bethlehem and create an expansive “settlement band” around the Holy City.
ARIJ called on the Palestinian Authority to pressure the international community and the European Union into action against the plan.
“Tell the world how dangerous this scheme is; it is the biggest land robbery,” Ishaq said.
The areas where the land will be taken are Khirbet al-Mazmouriya, Khilet al-Ribway, Wad Saleh, Wad Luqa, Jabal Skhour, Wad Al-Jamal, Jroun al-Humus, Cremisan and all the land built on the nearby “Gilo” settlement.
Bethlehem Governor Abdul Fattah Hamayel said the plan was a “clear step beyond all international law and rights,” and accused Israel’s judiciary of bias to “legalize what is best for them [Israelis] and cover up the crimes against Palestinians.”
The PLO and international community has repeatedly called on Israel to halt its settlement expansion campaign to give both sides the opportunity to revive long-stalled negotiations.
Israel occupied and annexed East Jerusalem in 1967, a move not recognized by the international community. Settlement building on occupied land and population transfer is considered a violation of international law.
Source: Ma’an news
B.N