AL-EIZARIYA: Residents of this Palestinian town near Jerusalem say they are living in fear as demolition and evacuation notices surge—an escalation they believe is tied directly to Israel’s approval of a massive new settlement project.
“This is a project of total destruction for the economy and the people. It will affect everyone,” said 37-year-old Yahya Abu Ghaliyeh, whose home was torn down earlier this year. His car-wash business is now slated for demolition as well. Israeli authorities say the buildings lack proper permits, though no official statement links the demolitions to the settlement plan.
Palestinians argue that building permits are nearly impossible to obtain under Israeli occupation, which has controlled the West Bank since 1967. Many residents see the wave of demolitions as part of preparations for the E1 project—one of the largest settlement expansions ever approved.
The E1 plan envisions around 3,400 housing units stretching across 12 square kilometres east of Jerusalem, connecting the city to Maale Adumim, a major Israeli settlement. Israel granted formal approval for the project in August.
International leaders have condemned the move. The UN secretary-general’s spokesman warned that E1 threatens the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state and would deepen the physical separation between predominantly Palestinian east Jerusalem—occupied and later annexed by Israel—and the wider West Bank.
Al-Eizariya, also known as Bethany, is home to the tomb and church of Lazarus, drawing roughly half a million tourists a year, according to mayor Khalil Abu Rish.
