Twenty-three homes were demolished last year in the community of Al-Bustan, Silwan and almost every house in the neighborhood—home to about 1,500 residents —faces the risk of demolition. In their place, the state and municipality are planning to establish a settler touristic park, as part of a broader process of taking control of Silwan and transforming it into a Jewish Israeli space—to the extent that an innocent passerby would not notice that this is part of occupied East Jerusalem and that Palestinian residents were displaced for this project to be built.

A protest in front the Municipality of Jerusalem against the eviction of Palestinian residents, June 2022 (Photo: Free Jerusalem)

Next Friday, Feb 7, under the title “United Jerusalem”, Ir Amin Association will hold a “geopolitical tour” in occupied East Jerusalem.  “United Jerusalem”, this is how many Israelis learn to think of Jerusalem, as a city that was “united” in 1967, when Israel occupied East Jerusalem (which, until then, had been under Jordanian control). For Israel, East Jerusalem became part of its sovereign territory in ‘67 (although its Palestinian residents did not become citizens) and the state has since then been trying to strengthen its control over the area.

However, Palestinians and most of the international community, do not recognize this occupation and unilateral annexation by Israel. In fact, the illegality of this situation was confirmed in the Advisory Opinion published by the International Court of Justice last year.

But what does this all mean on-the-ground? How is life different for Palestinians and Israelis living in the city? Do they have the same rights? Do they receive the same public services? Who cares for their welfare? And how does this all affect the possibility of a political agreement in Jerusalem and the region as a whole?

“In this tour in English, we will get to know the reality of life in East Jerusalem. We will discuss the city’s political history and delve into current issues; we will learn about the vastly different realities that Israelis and Palestinian experience as residents of the city, and we will speak of the deep divisions and inequalities that lie behind the idea of a united Jerusalem. This tour will provide a broad overview of Israeli policies in East Jerusalem and their implications for the political future not only of the city, but also of the region as a whole,” said Or Reiz, Ir Amim’s Tour Coordinator

The tour will be about 4 hours long and include a combination of bus travel and light walking throughout Israeli and Palestinian neighborhoods of Jerusalem, with several stops at important lookout points throughout the city. Meeting point: Parking lot of Gan Hapa’amon (Liberty Bell Park) at 10:00 AM.

For more information, please contact: Or Reiz – Ir Amim’s Tour Coordinator, +972-53-3441939, studytours@ir-amim.org.il