Human Rights Groups File Objection to plan for "National Park" in East Jerusalem
National Park will confiscate 732 dunams from Palestinian East Jerusalem neighborhood
Adalah, The Arab Center for Alternative Planning (ACAP), and the Civic Coalition for Defending Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem filed an objection with the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee against a new Israeli plan for a "National Park" to be built on the lands of the Palestinian East Jerusalem neighborhoods of Al-'Issawiyya and Aat-Tur on 3 April 2013. The plan would confiscate 732 dunams (180 acres) from the neighborhoods.
The plan for the "National Park" comes alongside other plans to confiscate 500 dunams (123 acres) nearby from the Palestinian neighborhoods of 'Anata and Al-'Issawiyya. There the land will be used to build a garbage dump and network utilities.
The objection was prepared by Adalah Attorney Suhad Bishara and ACAP Urban Planner 'Aniyya Bana in the name of Darwish Darwish, the president of the Development Committee of Al-'Issawiyya.
"National Park" blocks neighborhoods' expansion and natural development
The objectors argued that, "The plan prevents any possibility of development for Al-'Issawiyya, currently home to 15,000 residents, and At-Tur, which has 26,000 residents. It cuts off the neighborhoods from themselves and each other. The 'National Park' is planned to connect Area E1 with Israel and other settlements, and to reflect the structural planning done for Ma'ale Adumim [another settlement in East Jerusalem]."
The objection also referenced plans for 2030, which projects that At-Tur will need to expand over an additional 1,700 dunams. Al-'Issawiyya will need an additional 1,100 dunams.
Plan violates laws, infringes on rights on multiple levels
The plan infringes on the rights of affected the occupied Palestinian people of East Jerusalem to property and dignity, specifically, their rights to develop their own environment and land and utilize their own natural resources in violation of Israeli and international law.
The plan covers Palestinian land occupied since 1967. Therefore, the plan contradicts international humanitarian law, which prevents altering the geography of occupied land or using the land to benefit the occupiers.
See also:
Yuval Ben-Ami, "A walk in the wilderness of East Jerusalem," Ha'aretz 16 December 2011
Jerusalem Municipality plans garbage dump on Palestinian villages, Adalah Press Release - 7 January 2013
