Israel Escalates Demolitions in Jerusalem, E1 Settlement Plans Move to Execution

Israeli occupation authorities have intensified home demolitions and land leveling in the Jerusalem Governorate for a second consecutive day. The operations targeted residential, agricultural, and commercial structures, as well as agricultural lands in several Palestinian towns and communities, under the pretext of unlicensed construction. On Thursday morning, occupation forces demolished several homes in the Al-Sahl area of Biddu, northwest of occupied Jerusalem, and another home in Al-Eizariya. Simultaneously, agricultural lands adjacent to the Beit Iksa military checkpoint were bulldozed, with occupation bulldozers uprooting dozens of olive trees, causing financial losses to farmers and landowners. These actions coincide with the olive harvest season, during which Palestinian farmers face increased pressure.

These demolitions follow similar operations on Wednesday that affected homes of three Palestinians in the towns of Shuafat, Silwan, and Beit Hanina, according to the Jerusalem Governorate. These actions are part of a continuous escalation aimed at undermining the Palestinian presence in and around the city.

In a related development, Israeli rights groups, including Bimkom, Ir Amim, and Peace Now, revealed that Israeli authorities have begun demolitions within the Bedouin community of Abu al-Nuwwar, located within the E1 settlement plan area east of occupied Jerusalem. The groups described this as a transition from settlement planning to actual on-the-ground implementation. They stated that on November 3rd, authorities demolished approximately half of the community's structures, including homes and facilities, displacing about 20 Palestinians. Renewal demolition orders against the remaining buildings threaten the complete removal of the community and the displacement of its residents.

The rights groups reported that the Mayor of Ma'ale Adumim settlement, Guy Yifrah, admitted the municipality initiated the demolitions after urging the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Palestinian Territories to remove the targeted buildings. These structures are located over a kilometer from the nearest settlement homes, suggesting the demolitions are not based on local planning needs but aim to clear the area for settlement expansion. The demolitions proceeded despite ongoing judicial review of objections to the E1 plans, which include 3,401 settlement units between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, threatening to sever the West Bank and hinder the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state.

The rights groups warned that the events at Abu al-Nuwwar could extend to other Bedouin communities in the area, home to hundreds of Palestinians. They consider the renewal of demolition orders and targeting of residential buildings as part of a policy to uproot Palestinian communities and facilitate settlement expansion. In a joint statement, the groups asserted that Israel has moved from settlement planning to actual displacement, raising serious concerns about the forced transfer of Palestinian residents, a violation of international humanitarian law. This escalation occurs amid rising violations by occupation forces and settlers in the West Bank and Jerusalem, with the 'Mat'on' center documenting 15,303 violations in October, a nearly 97% increase from the previous month.