From Cast Lead to the Mavi Marmara, few states have displayed Israel’s commitment to unilateral action. A unique ability to deflect external criticism has allowed successive adminstrations to pursue unpopular policies without hindrance. A microcosm can be glimpsed in Jerusalem, where Mayor Nir Barkat’s intention to re-develop in Silwan place the Municipality’s glamour project over the rights of residents, the agenda of his government and stillborn proximity talks.
Far from applauding the nationalist initiative, which would see at least 22 Arab homes demolished to make way for the King David Gardens, Defence Minister Ehud Barak condemned a “lack of common sense and sense of timing”. The US State Department concurred that the move “undermined trust” ahead of proximity talks. The notional objectives of both are undermined by Monday‘s announcement. The Israeli Government have stepped up diplomacy efforts in an attempt to repair their shattered image following the flotilla massacre, while the Whitehouse is losing credibility as US-sponsored talks continue to founder. Alluding to the declaration in March, coinciding with Vice President Joe Biden’s visit, that 1,600 new settlement homes would be built in Arab East Jerusalem, Barak lamented that it was “not the first time” the Municipality had embarrassed the nation and its main sponsors.
The Municipality response has been robust. Senior Mayor’s Aide Stephan Miller told me the criticisms are of “no concern”, while a mayor’s office statement claimed the “defence minister acts without checking the facts”. The statement goes on to claim the work is essential to restore a run-down area delivering little to the city’s economy.
The plans for re-development of Silwan were first mooted in March, but government pressure saw them shelved as too inflammatory. Since then Barkat has been corralling support, including a tour of Washington in which he hosted a Q & A dinner party for influential journalists. Known as a highly driven businessman and entrepreneur, his vision for the King David Gardens is central to a “fundamental commitment and responsibility to preserve and safeguard Jerusalem, its landscapes and vistas, and historic and scenic sites for the sake of future generations.”
Arab leaders fear this new city is envisaged without them in it. Islamic Supreme Committee head Ekrima Sabri last year accused the mayor of “conducting a war against Palestinians”, following a spate of evictions in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. Barkat has presided over a rapid acceleration in revoking residency permits for Palestinians, as well as an increase in settler numbers in the future Palestinian capital. Today there are around 200,000 settlers in East Jerusalem, slightly fewer than in the whole of the West Bank. The Municipality claim residents of the 22 homes slated for demolition will be re-housed in “new, legal buildings”, but would not reveal details. Similar promises have been made without fulfilment to displaced families in Sheikh Jarrah.
Opposition to Barkat’s plan has not been limited to external parties. The left-wing Maretz faction of his ruling coalition submitted a vote of no confidence, claiming “Jerusalem is too explosively charged” and warning of “devastating political consequences”. As a result all Maretz representatives have been stripped of their portfolios and salaries, including Deputy Mayor Pepe Alalo. The secular Mayor will now share power with more religious, Haredi parties, an arrangement guaranteed to beget more friction. Maretz spokesman Ido Porat explained his party’s concern over the move, “we think you do not resolve the problem by destroying people’s houses. This way you destroy trust and increase separation.” Porat disputes the Mayor’s claim that the homes were built illegally, “Israel never allows them to build through their beaurocracy. The laws are against Palestinians.”
That is certainly the feeling in Silwan, where the inhabitants talk of constant harassment and persecution. Muhammad Rajabi, a 23-year-old hospital worker, believes the Municipality are pursuing a policy of ethnic cleansing. "They do not want peace. They want all of Jerusalem. They occupy it with soldiers, settlers, parking lots, gardens, history parks, anything but Palestinians. There are 1500 people in Bustan. It is more than just houses. This is our history. This is not Israel. This is Palestinian land, that they took in 1967. Why do I need a permit from Israel to live in my home in Palestine?”
In addition to the 22 structures scheduled for demolition, the mayor’s office claim a further 66 that were previously targeted, will now be given retroactive permits. Hajj Fahkri Abu Diab of the Popular Committee for Silwan is not convinced. “We cannot believe them. They say only 22 homes, but they are lying. Our engineers and lawyers know the plans and the details, and they say it is for all 88 homes, not 22. If they can give permits why do they wait? They should give permits now before they demolish. We pay taxes and they promise us clean roads and schools. But we have no clean roads and our children cannot go to school. How can we believe them?" If all 88 homes are demolished around 1000 residents will be displaced.
The Mayor’s Office insist the plans are yet to be finalised. “There are two more stages of the Local Planning Committee before it is then brought to the District Planning Committee”, Stephan Miller told me. But damage has already been done. The only unity can be found in the divisions; between Jerusalem’s political parties, between Municipality and Israeli Government, between Israel and the USA. All represent barriers to the embryonic peace process, now seemingly destined to further stagnation. But feuding politicians will not foot the bill for their failures, instead the price will be paid by displaced families in Silwan.
