Israeli Govt Opens New Jewish “Heritage Center” in Silwan
On August 1, Israeli Minister of Culture, Miri Regev, and Minister for Jerusalem Affairs, Ze’ev Elkin, celebrated the opening of the “Yemenite Jewish Heritage Center” in the heart of the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan. Regev provocatively stated during the ceremony, was unequivocal in denying the Palestinian historical ties and rights to Jerusalem: “Look around. We […]
Major New Plans Approved for Pisgat Ze’ev
On July 2nd, the Jerusalem District Planning Board approved for deposit for public review 1064 new units, as part of 6 new plans in the East Jerusalem settlement neighborhood of Pisgat Ze’ev. The approval of the plans sparks a number of observations: Numerically speaking, this is a very large approval. These 1064 units constitute a […]
Khan al-Ahmar Demolition Postponed
As has been widely reported by international media, Israel’s imminent demolition of the Bedouin village of Khan Al-Ahmar has provoked significant international protest, with key countries, most notably European states, condemning the planned action as a grave violation of international law. With this mobilization of Europe and the UN as the backdrop, alongside unusually strong […]
Renewed Visits by MKs to the Temple Mt/Haram al-Sharif
On July 3rd, Netanyahu announced his decision to lift the ban on the visit of Members of the Knesset (MKs) to the Temple Mount/Haram Al Sharif; henceforth, MKs are authorized to enter the site once every three months, on the condition that they coordinate with police in advance, refrain from making public statements during visits, […]
Imminent Demolition of Khan al Ahmar
On May 24, the Israeli High Court of Justice rejected the petition of the residents of the Bedouin village Khan Al Ahmar against the planned demolition of their community. As a result, the demolition of their homes is now imminent. As we have detailed previously (see here and here), the scope of the demolition threat […]
Relative Calm on the Temple Mt/Haram al Sharif During Ramadan
According to OCHA, 87,000 and 122,000 Palestinians were allowed to enter Jerusalem from the West Bank on the second and third Fridays of Ramadan, respectively. Unlike last year, Gaza worshippers were not allowed to travel to Jerusalem for Friday prayers, except for international organizations’ staff based Gaza (according to Gisha). Reportedly, 200,000 Muslim worshippers attended […]
Israel’s Persistent Efforts to Evict Silwan/Batan al Hawa Residents
On June 10, Israel’s Supreme court held the hearing of the petition of the residents of Batan Al-Hawa, a Silwan neighborhood, threatened to be evicted as a result of the transfer of their land by the Custodian General to a settlers’ trust, controlled by Ateret Cohanim, in 2002. During the hearing, the State’s attorney admitted […]
Jerusalem & the Trump “Peace Plan”
We agree with the general assessment, put forth by many observers, that the Trump Administration likely neither aspires nor intends to put forward a comprehensive peace plan. Rather, the White House more likely has in mind a series of more limited measures and policies. the primary goal of which is clear: to create sufficient forward […]
US Embassy Opening – Impact Thus Far
As one could have expected, the opening of the US embassy has turned Jerusalem into a political battleground, revealing growing rifts in world views and exacerbating, rather than resolving, the controversy over Jerusalem’s status. As we have discussed previously, the move of the US embassy has sparked broad international criticism and condemnations. Prominent world leaders, […]
US Embassy Opening – Where Things Stand & Implications
Where do things stand with the opening? Notwithstanding rumors that security considerations could lead to a delay, the opening of the first-ever U.S. embassy in Jerusalem is expected to take place, as originally announced, on May 14. That date coincides with Israel’s Independence Day, which is also the date on which the Palestinians’ mark Nakba […]