Palestinian anger as Israeli demolitions surge in East Jerusalem
Since late 2023, demolitions of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem have increased sharply, with residents expressing despair and accusing Israel of using the geopolitical situation to push them out.
The Awad family home in East Jerusalem is one of dozens recently demolished. In the al-Bustan area of Silwan, 59 properties have been destroyed since late 2023. Many Palestinians say they are being forced out while the world focuses on wars in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon.
Fayez Awad, 58, sitting in the only remaining floor of his house, said: 'There is no future. They destroyed the future and everything else. We spent our whole lives building this house. They brought us back to zero.'
Israel captured East Jerusalem from Jordan in 1967 and annexed it, a move not recognized by most countries. The Jerusalem Municipality has long planned to turn al-Bustan into a biblically-themed park called the King's Garden, run by a Jewish settler organization. Under international law, settlements and forced transfer of population from occupied land are illegal.
Palestinians say they cannot obtain building permits in East Jerusalem. According to Israeli human rights group Bimkom, only 7% of new housing approved in Jerusalem in 2025 was for Palestinians, who make up about 40% of the city's population. Many residents facing demolition orders demolish their own homes to avoid heavy fines.
'Israel is using the geopolitical situation to finish the issue. The international community has left us all alone,' said local activist Fakhri Abu Diab, whose home was previously demolished. Israel has built about 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, housing 700,000 Jews.
The UN reports that some 200 Palestinian households (about 900 people) face eviction cases filed by settlers. Israel uses laws allowing takeovers of property owned by Jews before 1948. In the Batn al-Hawa area of Silwan, Palestinian families are now classified as 'illegal squatters.'
Silwan's proximity to the al-Aqsa mosque compound (Temple Mount) – the holiest site in Judaism and third holiest in Islam – makes it central to Israeli authorities and settler groups. Yonatan Mizrahi of Peace Now said the plan is to 'create a touristic area that emphasises the Jewish narrative.'
In the Christian and Muslim Quarters of the Old City, Israeli flags mark buildings where settlers live. The Basha family, who protected a historic yeshiva for decades, now faces eviction after a court ruling. Mufid Basha, 76, said: 'We've nowhere else to go. This is the only home I've ever known.' The Jerusalem District Court has temporarily blocked the eviction while an appeal is considered.
A recent Bimkom report highlighted a new land registration process used for land appropriation. Aviv Tatarsky of Ir Amim said: 'Palestinians in Jerusalem know they are unsafe even in their homes. The Israeli government is rushing to cement a reality of Jewish supremacy that does not tolerate Palestinian rights.'
The EU recently called the situation in East Jerusalem 'dire' and reiterated strong opposition to settlement policy. Back in al-Bustan, 97-year-old Yusra Qweider, displaced three times since 1948, now faces eviction. She said: 'They want to kick us out. I am sick and can't walk. We are counting on God.'
