The residents of Al-Bustan neighborhood in Silwan, occupied Jerusalem, are experiencing escalating anxiety and fears amidst a fierce campaign launched by the occupation authorities to demolish homes and displace residents. These measures are being implemented as part of an Israeli plan aimed at erasing the neighborhood from the map to establish a so-called 'national park' that serves settlement projects in the area surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Hajj Al-Abbasi, one of those affected by this policy, recounted how the occupation municipality's bulldozers turned his home into rubble within a few hours, without regard for the years of life and memories he spent within its walls. He explained that demolitions occur suddenly and under heavy guard, depriving families of the opportunity to save their belongings or find alternative shelter.
In a scene reflecting the harsh reality, the young man Mujahid was forced to demolish his home with his own hands after living in it for seven years, to avoid exorbitant fines and protect his family's home on the lower floor. Many Jerusalemite families resort to this bitter option to avoid structural damage that might affect the rest of the building if the occupation mechanisms carry out the demolition.
For his part, Hajj Ahmed, who is over seventy years old, expressed the tragedy of the continuous threat of demolition, describing the loss of a home as more bitter than death. He pointed out that starting from scratch at this advanced age represents an impossible challenge, especially in light of the continuous restrictions imposed by the occupation on the Palestinian presence in the Holy City.
Mohammad Dahleh, a lawyer specializing in Jerusalem affairs, affirmed that what is happening in Al-Bustan neighborhood is a practical application of the forced displacement policy pursued by the occupation authorities and their affiliated Jerusalem municipality. He clarified that these measures are not merely regulatory decisions, but a declared policy aimed at changing the demographic and geographic reality in the heart of Jerusalem.
Field data indicate a significant decline in the number of existing buildings in the neighborhood, with human rights sources documenting the demolition of about 59 structures recently, the vast majority of which were inhabited residential homes. The remaining homes in the neighborhood face similar demolition orders, leaving hundreds of citizens facing an unknown future in the absence of international protection.
The residents of Al-Bustan neighborhood emphasize their steadfastness on their land and in their homes despite all pressures, asserting that the 'National Park' project is merely a cover for expanding settlements at the expense of the Arab presence. Popular and legal activities continue in an attempt to obstruct these plans that threaten to liquidate one of the oldest neighborhoods in occupied Jerusalem.
Demolishing a home is harder than death, because its owner finds himself forced to rebuild his life anew at the age of seventy.
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'National Park' plan threatens Al-Bustan neighborhood: Occupation escalates demolition operations in Silwan