Demolitions of Palestinian properties in East Jerusalem have surged dramatically since late 2023. In the al-Bustan area of Silwan alone, Israeli excavators have destroyed 59 homes to make way for a biblically themed park known as the King's Garden. Residents report that global focus on conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon has coincided with intensified displacement efforts in the occupied territory.
The Jerusalem Municipality states these actions aim to create public open spaces for all residents. However, data from the human rights group Bimkom reveals that only 7% of new housing approvals in 2025 were allocated to Palestinians, despite them comprising 40% of the city's population. Facing exorbitant municipal fines, many residents are now forced to demolish their own homes.
Legal mechanisms are also being utilized to transfer property. Courts have ordered evictions based on pre-1948 Jewish ownership claims, while denying Palestinians reciprocal rights to reclaim historical assets. This includes high-profile cases in the Old City where Palestinian families face removal from buildings now claimed by religious institutions. Approximately 900 people currently face active eviction cases filed mostly by settler organizations.
Strategic planning continues to reshape the demographic landscape. Authorities recently approved a massive ultra-Orthodox yeshiva in Sheikh Jarrah and formed an inter-ministry team to explore seizing properties near the Chain Gate entrance to the Al-Aqsa compound. The European Union has condemned these settlement activities as dire violations of international law, yet construction and displacement persist without restraint.
