The Israeli occupation municipality in Al-Quds (Jerusalem) announced on Sunday to seize approximately 1 dunam and 100 square meters of Al-Bustan neighborhood in Silwan.
The occupation municipality made the announced in a notification to Al-Bustan residents, under the pretext of establishing a “gardening and parking” project.
The mayor of Jerusalem Moshe Leon claimed in the notification that these areas are classified as “vacant land” under the so-called “1987 Local Authorities Law”.
The Israeli municipality notified the Bustan neighborhood in Silwan of its intent to seize land for “landscaping & parking”—claiming it’s “vacant.” In reality, it’s rubble from homes Israel demolished & won’t let Palestinians rebuild. A thread 🧵 pic.twitter.com/m2p8d16FRW
— Good Shepherd Collective (@Shepherds4Good) January 18, 2026
Protesting the Israeli notification, Al-Quds Governorate warned in a statement that this measure represents a clear legal maneuver aimed at preventing residents from using their land or applying for permits.
The Israeli move “comes mid series of systematic demolitions that recently targeted the area,” the governorate said, noting that the occupation “seeks to create a legal cover” for silent ethnic cleansing and land takeover.
According to Al-Quds Governorate, the escalation “follows a similar measure earlier this month, when the occupation authorities announced the seizure of about 5.7 dunams of neighborhood land under the same pretext, claiming it was “vacant,” although the area contains rubble from forcibly demolished homes whose owners were prevented from rebuilding or using them.”
“The [Israeli] municipality’s claim that the seizure would be ‘temporary’ for five years is invalid, as on-the-ground facts and the experience of Jerusalemites indicate the occupation’s intention to impose a permanent settlement reality that blocks any Palestinian urban expansion, particularly after 35 structures were demolished in the neighborhood since October 7, 2023, the latest being the home of citizen Shafe’ Ahmad Abu Shafe’ at the end of last year,” the statement read.
