Controversy Over Land Registration in East Jerusalem
Recent developments in East Jerusalem have sparked significant concern among Palestinian residents of Umm Tuba, who fear losing their ancestral lands due to a controversial decision by the Israeli authorities. According to a report by Haaretz, 139 Palestinians were shocked to discover that their properties, which they have inhabited for decades and possess ownership documents for, were suddenly registered in the name of the Jewish National Fund (JNF). This unexpected move raises fears that the JNF may attempt to evict the current residents from their homes.
The land in question spans approximately twenty dunams, and its residents were unaware of any legal procedures that could lead to such a registration. Many of these residents have lived on the land for generations, having received building permits from the Jerusalem Municipality after inspections confirmed their ownership. They also possess historical documents from British and Jordanian authorities, along with tax bills paid to the municipality over the years, further substantiating their claims to the land.
Legal and Historical Context
Since the Israeli occupation began in 1967, there has been a halt on land registration in East Jerusalem, complicating property ownership and transactions for many residents. The Justice Ministry’s land regulator, David Rotenberg, claimed that the JNF purchased the land a century ago from a few individuals. However, residents contest this assertion, stating that the family mentioned in the claim never owned any land in the area. Furthermore, many residents do not speak Hebrew, making it difficult for them to navigate government websites where they could verify their land status.
The residents have taken action by filing a petition with the Israeli Supreme Court to challenge the registration of their land in the name of the JNF. Their lawyer, Yazid Qawar, emphasized that the lack of clear land demarcation in the disputed area means that even if notifications had been posted, residents would not have understood their implications.
Suspicion Surrounding Urban Planning Initiatives
The land registration efforts in East Jerusalem, initiated in 2018, are officially aimed at addressing urban planning issues. However, many Palestinian residents view these initiatives with suspicion, fearing they are a guise for land confiscation and the expansion of Jewish settlements. The planning for Umm Tuba is reportedly linked to a new Jewish neighborhood project called “Nobi Rachel,” which is set to be built close to Palestinian homes. Critics argue that this further exemplifies a systematic approach to displace Palestinian communities in favor of Jewish settlements.
The situation has drawn international attention, particularly following a ruling by the International Court of Justice in July, which deemed the Israeli presence in the West Bank illegal and criticized the land registration processes in East Jerusalem as a means to facilitate settlement expansion at the expense of Palestinian land. As the legal battle unfolds, the residents of Umm Tuba remain determined to protect their homes and heritage against what they perceive as unjust encroachments on their rights.
