Jerusalem: The jewel in the crown – opinion

The article discusses Israel's policies in East Jerusalem since 1967, focusing on the concept of "maximum land, minimum population" which has led to significant challenges for Palestinian residents. According to Amir Cheshin, Teddy Kollek's adviser, only 13% of the newly configured East Jerusalem was zoned for Palestinian residential purposes, much of which was already built up. This has resulted in a severe lack of affordable housing and a high number of "illegal" buildings, even on land owned by Palestinians. Israeli peace NGO Ir Amim's report, "Planned Negligence," highlights that Israel's 2040 Strategic Plan offers almost no provisions for Palestinian neighborhoods, exacerbating the planning crisis. Arieh King, a former deputy mayor, has expressed a vision for a "Judaized" Jerusalem, with an estimated 20,000 "illegal" Palestinian buildings targeted for demolition. The article argues that the international community has largely overlooked the "de-Palestinization of Jerusalem," which 10 UN Special Rapporteurs have referred to as "the ethnic cleansing of Palestine." The author emphasizes that the displacement of Jerusalemites is a core issue for a viable Palestinian state and is inseparable from the two-state solution, urging international action to uphold international law and end the Israeli occupation.