JERUSALEM: The Israeli authorities have implemented a new policy to convert land in Jerusalem into absentee property if owners cannot demonstrate ownership, effectively barring them from obtaining building permits. This decision marks a significant shift in the administration of property rights within the city.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the Jerusalem Governorate reported that the implementation of this policy has begun in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Jarrah and Jabal Mukaber, particularly affecting areas such as Al-Qanbar and lands adjacent to the wall near Abu Dis. The move has raised concerns among residents and advocacy groups regarding its impact on property rights and community stability.
The policy's reach is set to extend further, with plans to include all parts of Jerusalem, focusing on the town of Silwan. In Silwan, neighborhoods such as Al-Bustan, Batn Al-Hawa, and Ein Al-Lawza are expected to be significantly impacted. The decision has prompted a wave of reactions from local and international observers, who are closely monitoring the situation.
The conversion of land into absentee property is seen as a mechanism that could affect thousands of residents, many of whom have called Jerusalem home for generations. The implications of this policy extend beyond property rights, potentially influencing demographic and socio-political dynamics in the city.
