Jerusalem Governorate: Modification of Silwan Maps and Attachment of Parts of It to What Is Called the 'City of David' Are Invalid and Illegal Procedures

SadaNews - The Jerusalem Governorate warned against the changes recently observed on the maps displayed on the website of the occupying municipality in Jerusalem, which showed modifications to the planning divisions imposed by the occupation authorities on the town of Silwan. This indicates a reduction in its area and the reattachment of parts of it, particularly the Wadi Hilwa area, within the region the occupation authorities refer to as the "City of David," which is estimated to cover an area of approximately 333.76 dunams.

The governorate clarified in a statement issued today, Tuesday, that this new classification falls within the framework of converting parts of the town into a tourist and archaeological zone led by colonial projects, which practically leads to a reduction of the Palestinian urban space in Silwan and has direct implications on land use planning and the level of municipal services provided to the residents, in addition to affecting the historical and heritage narrative of the place.

The Jerusalem Governorate emphasized that the divisions or what are called "municipal borders" imposed by the occupation in the city of Jerusalem are unilateral and illegal procedures aimed at reshaping the spatial and demographic landscape in East Jerusalem, in a way that serves colonial projects. It stressed that what is happening reflects a deeper trend of spatial and political restructuring in the city, through redefining neighborhoods and linking them to a heritage and archaeological framework that serves the colonial narrative, particularly in the areas adjacent to the old city and the vicinity of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and what the occupation calls the "holy basin."

The Jerusalem Governorate pointed out that the town of Silwan is one of the oldest Palestinian towns in Jerusalem, located directly south of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, its history dating back thousands of years, forming one of the historical cores around which the city of Jerusalem emerged. It is also known for its role in protecting the southern extension of the old city, earning it the title of "Guardian of Jerusalem." However, since the occupation of Jerusalem in 1967, it has been subjected to continuous Judaization policies aimed at changing its demographic and geographic character by seizing lands and homes for the benefit of colonial associations.

The governorate indicated that the town of Silwan extended before the 1967 occupation over an area of approximately 5640 dunams, but the policies of seizure and colonization have reduced its area, after the occupation authorities seized vast areas of its lands and established colonial projects on them. Moreover, colonial associations target the town with archaeological and tourism projects used as a cover for controlling the land and imposing a dubious Torah narrative about what is called the "City of David."

The Jerusalem Governorate stressed that all occupation procedures in Jerusalem are invalid and illegal under international law and will not establish any rights for the occupation in the city, no matter how large or deep they may be. It affirmed that these policies targeting Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian sanctities rise to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity and will not succeed in breaking the steadfastness of Jerusalemites or uprooting them from their land, as they cling to their right in their city and their historical and national identity.