In February 2024, Israeli authorities demolished the home of Fakhri Abu Diab, a resident of the al-Bustan neighborhood in Silwan, East Jerusalem. Fakhri, a long-time activist and outspoken opponent of demolitions in his community, lived in the house with his wife, children, and grandchildren. The demolition occurred despite ongoing negotiations between the community and the municipality, furt
her eroding trust in the authorities' intentions. Fakhri’s role as a leader in these negotiations makes the demolition appear as a calculated move—one meant to instill fear in the rest of the community.
Since then, two additional homes have been demolished, and dozens more have received demolition orders. This raises a critical question: What do Israeli authorities want to achieve in al-Bustan?
A Neighborhood at Risk
Al-Bustan is located just south of Jerusalem’s Old City walls. Nearly all of its homes—approximately 150—are under threat of demolition. Over the past few weeks alone, two families have lost their homes, and about a dozen others have received demolition orders.
In the eyes of Israeli authorities, these homes are classified as "illegal," meaning they were constructed without the appropriate permits. Under this reasoning, the homes are subject to demolition, and the families fined. However, this label of "illegality" is misleading. Families in al-Bustan have no legal path to obtain building permits. The current zoning laws for al-Bustan date back to 1977, a decade after Israel’s occupation and annexation of East Jerusalem started, and designate the neighborhood as an "open area" where no construction is allowed. As a result, Palestinian families living there have been forced to build without permits, simply to stay in their homes and community.
Why Designate Al-Bustan as an "Open Area"?
The classification of al-Bustan as an "open area" is not arbitrary. Over the years, Israeli authorities have expressed plans to transform the neighborhood into a touristic and archaeological site—the "King’s Garden"—referencing the Biblical story of King David walking through gardens believed to be in this area.
This plan aligns with broader efforts to reshape the identity of East Jerusalem. If carried out, the King’s Garden would connect with the nearby City of David archaeological park. There are also plans to construct a cable car linking Silwan to West Jerusalem, further integrating the area into the tourist landscape and emphasizing its Jewish historical significance.
Settler Organizations and Government Support
The push to develop al-Bustan into a touristic site is not unique. It reflects a larger strategy of settler organizations like Elad and Ateret Cohanim, which aim to Judaize East Jerusalem. Elad runs the City of David park, with the backing of the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority, while Ateret Cohanim seeks to establish a Yemenite Heritage center nearby in Batan al-Hawa, Silwan. This organization is also involved in the eviction of Palestinian residents.
These organizations do not operate independently—they receive significant support from the Israeli government. Elad was granted control over the City of David by the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority, while Ateret Cohanim can evict Palestinian families due to discriminatory laws and government backing. This cooperation illustrates how the demolition of homes and the reshaping of neighborhoods are deeply tied to the Israeli government’s broader strategy of control over East Jerusalem.
A Community Under Threat
The demolitions in al-Bustan are not just about building regulations or heritage sites. They are part of a concerted effort to reshape the identity of East Jerusalem, erasing Palestinian communities and replacing them with touristic projects that emphasize Jewish history.
Fakhri Abu Diab has consistently spoken out against these demolitions. His own words reflect the deep injustice being carried out:
"The municipality does not understand that people and families are more important than gardens, and that gardens are made for the welfare of residents and not at the expense of their right to live in their own houses. And that history and the present are important to everyone and not just to a certain group."
Fakhri’s house was destroyed this year, and to many in the community, it felt like a direct threat. His demolition stands as a symbol of the broader struggle in al-Bustan, where families are caught between the need to preserve their homes and the forces determined to displace them.
As more homes face the risk of demolition, the community of al-Bustan is left grappling with an uncertain future. The fight for their homes is not just a battle against bulldozers—it’s a struggle for existence in the face of forces determined to erase their presence from the city they call home.
This blog post was created in collaboration with Ir Amim following a joint event between TINAU and Ir Amim: "Unpacking the ICJ Ruling: Annexation, Home Demolitions, and Planning Policy in East Jerusalem"
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