The Occupation Issues a Decision to Seize 109.79 Dunams of Land in Occupied Jerusalem

SadaNews - The Israeli occupation authorities issued a decision to seize approximately 109.79 dunams of land located around the towns of Nabi Samuel and Beit Iksa, northwest of Jerusalem, under the pretext of 'public interest', as part of a project they claim aims to 'develop and preserve an archaeological site' in the area, according to the text of the decision.

The targeted lands, according to the Jerusalem Governorate, include agricultural fields and open lands, in a move considered an extension of the policies of land appropriation surrounding Jerusalem.

The decision also indicated that the seizure procedures extend to the Nabi Samuel mosque that stands on the archaeological site, raising fears of impacting the religious and historical landmark in the area.

The Jerusalem Governorate confirmed that what is happening is part of a systematic policy to appropriate Palestinian archaeological sites under the guise of 'development and restoration', aimed at consolidating a unilateral narrative of 'sovereignty' by Israel over Jerusalem, while excluding the Palestinian and Islamic narrative from the public space of the city. It added that the works of 'development' in this context become tools of 'sovereignty' and imposing a reality on the ground.