Land Registration Controversy in Umm Tuba: Impacts and Reactions
In the village of Umm Tuba, located southeast of Jerusalem, residents are facing a significant challenge as their lands have been registered under the Jewish National Fund without prior notification. This move is part of the Israeli government's "Land Registration and Settlement" project initiated in 2018, which aimed to register 50% of East Jerusalem lands by the end of 2021 and complete the remaining by 2025. The project, while publicly framed as a means to facilitate housing for Jerusalemites, has raised concerns about its underlying objective to consolidate Israeli control over Palestinian territories.
The land registration process in East Jerusalem has been stagnant since the Israeli occupation in 1967, with only 5-10% of lands officially registered. This has resulted in fragmented property ownership, complicating Palestinians' ability to prove their land rights. Yousef Abu Teir, a local resident, shared the distressing news that his family's land, cultivated for generations, has been claimed by the Jewish National Fund. Abu Teir's family, along with others affected, has filed a petition with the Israeli Supreme Court to contest the registration, arguing that the process lacked transparency and disregarded existing building permits issued by the municipality.
Legal Struggles and Community Resilience
The legal battle for Umm Tuba residents is fraught with challenges, as the Mukhtar of the village, Engineer Aziz Abu Tayr, highlighted that 139 families have been adversely affected by this new measure. Despite their historical documentation of land ownership, which is recognized by local authorities, Israeli law prioritizes registration in the real estate registry, leaving many residents vulnerable to displacement.
Abu Teir and his neighbors remain determined to fight for their rights, asserting that they will not abandon their ancestral lands. The Supreme Court is expected to respond to their petition by December 8, 2023, but skepticism looms over the outcome given the political complexities surrounding such cases. The ongoing expansion of settlements in the region, including Har Homa and Ramat Rachel, further exacerbates the situation as these developments encroach upon the agricultural lands of Umm Tuba and its neighboring villages, Sur Baher and others.
As the community grapples with the implications of the land registration project, the resilience of its residents shines through. They continue to seek justice and recognition of their historical claims, while also facing the reality of an increasingly challenging political landscape.
