The Israeli “Custodian General’s Unit” of the “Justice Ministry” is planning to build hundreds of units in illegal Israel colonies in occupied Jerusalem, including in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, a move that would lead to the displacement of hundreds of Palestinians from their homes.
Israel daily Haaretz said the plans being promoted would result in extensive constructions in the colonies and “housing projects,” for Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem.
It added that the move would include the eviction of hundreds of Palestinians from their homes and neighborhoods.
Haaretz also said it obtained documents revealing that the proposed plans include a new colony in Sheikh Jarrah, and another near Damascus Gate, in addition to one colony in Sur Baher town, and another in Beit Hanina.
It added that the Israeli Justice Ministry said that it is examining plans “for a construction project” in Sheikh Jarrah and denied the existence of other plans.
All of Israel’s colonies in the occupied West Bank, including those in and around occupied East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, the Fourth Geneva Convention in addition to various United Nations and Security Council resolutions. They also constitute war crimes under International Law.
Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.” It also prohibits the “individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory”.
