Absentees Against Their Will July 2010

Ir Amim issued a report regarding the Absentee Property Law – a law that originally allowed the State of Israel to claim properties belonging to Palestinian refugees of 1948 and applied throughout Israel. Entitled "Absentees against Their Will," this report addresses the application of this law in East Jerusalem, and highlights that even though its application is problematic both legally and politically – it is in the hands of the Israeli government to decide on the matter. A Change in Israeli Attorney General's view of this Law could mean a wave of expropriations in East Jerusalem. To a summary of the report

"Jerusalem 2000"- the New Master Plan June 2010

This Ir Amim report of the Jerusalem 2000 master plan highlights the plan’s political agenda, and especially Israeli interests to control strategic areas while squeezing Palestinian residents out of them. These plans will have far-reaching consequences for the feasibility of reaching an agreed political settlement over the future and boundaries of Jerusalem.Ir Amim warns that implementing this plan could exacerbate the already complicated and tense situation in Jerusalem, perpetuate the planning chaos and harm Israel at both the international and political levels.

Jerusalem- An Open City? June 2010

In response to criticism against Israeli settlements in Palestinian neighborhoods, the Israeli Prime Minister and the Mayor of Jerusalem claimed that all residents of Jerusalem can purchase property throughout the city.  In the following report, Ir Amim and “Bimkom” reveal that according to law, 80% of the property intended for development in Israeli neighborhoods are off limits to the Palestinian population.  Apart from the legal aspects, both national communities tend to prefer to live separately. Claims of an “open city” are detached from reality at best, and are misleading at worst.

Why are they really demonstrating in Sheikh Jarrah? Ir Amim's survey, January 2010

In the last few weeks, the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah was featured in the headlines as a result of weekly demonstrations that take place in protest of the evacuation of Palestinian families from their homes and the entry of Jewish Israeli settlers into their homes. this short survey seeks to clarify the historical process of this matter until the issuing of the evacuation order, as well as the current political implications.

Making Bricks Without Straw: The Jerusalem Municipality’s New Planning Policy for East Jerusalem Ir Amim & Bimkom report, January 2010

This report issued by Ir Amim and Bimkom examines the municipality’s new planning policy, and its conclusion: current planning realities in East Jerusalem serve to thwart, de facto, nearly every Palestinian building plan, whether at the stage of approving the plan itself or later on, at the stage of issuing of a building permit.

The Arab-Palestinian School System in East Jerusalem A Status Report

The report shows that thousands of Palestinian pupils in East Jerusalem are denied access to free public education. Of those lucky enough to find space in the city public schools, thousands learn in unsuitable structures. The report also portrays the problematic way in which both the State of Israel and Jerusalem Municipality deal with this matter

Shady Dealings in Silwan Ir Amim report August 2009

The neighborhood of Silwan is located at the heart of Jerusalem's historical basin. In recent years Silwan has undergone an accelerated process of Israeli takeover. This report aims to present the developments in one of the most sensitive areas in the city, to expose the problematic nature of the Israeli government actions in the area and to warn of the risks of continuing this process

Israeli settlement in Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem Snapshot, August 2009

Ir Amim's analysis has identified a number of urgent threats to a negotiated agreement in Jerusalem. This document provides a snapshot of the first threat which is The accelerated process of Israeli settlement in Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem.

Evictions and Settlement Plans in Sheikh Jarrah: The Case of Shimon HaTzadik Ir Amim Report, May 2009

This report aims to clarify the issues in Sheikh Jarrah and to place the controversy in the context of an ongoing set of development plans that threaten to spark a dangerous escalation of the conflict in the city and to preclude an agreed-upon political resolution in Jerusalem. It includes Ir Amim's recommendations that current eviction proceedings and settlement plans be frozen.

A Layman's Guide to Home Demolitions Ir Amim Guide, March 2009

In recent weeks there has been a great deal of news coverage regarding planned home demolitions in East Jerusalem.  In response to the high volume of queries we have been receiving about the issue - focused as much on the technical aspects of Israeli home demolition policy in Jerusalem as on the demolitions themselves - we thought it would be helpful to offer this guide.

Severe Threat to Al Bustan-Silwan Neighborhood Summary Report of the Coalition of Organizations for the Al Bustan Residents, February 2009

The actions of the Israeli authorities in the last months indicate a renewed and severe danger to the existence of Al Bustan neighborhood of Silwan.  The demolition of almost 90 homes in this sensitive and disputed area is incendiary; and could hold grave consequences for the stability of the city.

State of Affairs - Jerusalem 2008: Political Development and Changes on the Ground Ir Amim Annual Report, December 2008

Ir Amim’s report, State of Affairs - Jerusalem 2008, surveys the political developments in Jerusalem over the last year in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This was a tumultuous year that began with the fanfare of the Annapolis Conference and ended with the denouement of a government leaving office in the shadow of significant global and political changes. This report aims to bring to the Israeli public and to decision makers in the national and international arenas a current and complex picture of the reality of Jerusalem, of its political and public dimensions, of the impact of public discourse and its expressions in the fabric of daily life. The report examines how these elements are likely to influence the political future of the city and its chances of advancing an agreed-upon solution in Jerusalem.

Demolitions in the Bustan Area of Silwan: Alert and Background Ir Amim Report, November 2008

On Wednesday, Nov. 5, when international attention was tuned to the U.S. election results, Israeli security forces massed at midday in the Bustan area of Silwan – adjacent to the Old City in East Jerusalem – in order to enable the demolition of two Palestinian homes. The demolition, which drew a barrage of rocks from local residents, and the firing of tear gas, rubber bullets and perhaps live fire from security forces, marks a new stage in Israeli policies in the area.  A stage that threatens to lead to the destruction of 80-90 Palestinian homes, and the displacement of hundreds of residents, making way for the expansion of the Israeli King's Valley Plan.

Press for the Peace of Jerusalem? Israeli Media Coverage of the Jerusalem Issue (Report Summary) A research report by Keshev and Ir Amim, June 2008

This report analyzes how central issues relating to Jerusalem were covered by the six major Israeli media outlets – the newspapers Yedioth Ahronoth, Ma'ariv and Ha'aretz and the main news broadcasts on Channel 1, Channel 2 and Channel 10.  The analysis is based on an investigation of three months of coverage, from October 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007.  The Annapolis summit, which took place on November 27, was held near the midpoint of the investigation period. The analysis is based on reading and viewing of all the major newspaper editions and television news broadcasts that appeared in this period.

Negotiations toward an Accord on Jerusalem: Declarations vs. Actions Ir Amim monitoring Report, April 2008

Instead of serving to catalyze political agreement, the Annapolis Summit in November 2007 has become a launching pad for new unilateral Israeli actions in East Jerusalem: plans to construct thousands of house units, Police blockage of tens of Palestinian civil gatherings, continuation of house demolishing policy, Unlicensed archeological excavations and more.  Every aspect of these Israeli actions casts a heavy shadow not only on the sincerity of the negotiations, but on the very chance of their success. The failure of negotiations over Jerusalem will mean failure in reaching a final status agreement between the two peoples.

Winning the Battle, Losing the War: 40 Years of Israeli Rule in East Jerusalem Ir Amim Position Paper, November 2007

The following position paper outlines current developments in Jerusalem in relation to the policies of the Israeli governments over the past 40 years. We carefully analyze these developments and point out the factors that are likely to impact Jerusalem and the conflict. Special emphasis is placed on the dangerous development in the most-sensitive part of the city, the Holy Basin

The Scandal Continues: An Assessment of the Arab-Palestinian Educational System in East Jerusalem in the 2007-2008 School Year The Coalition for the Advancement of Palestinian Arab Education in East Jerusalem Report, September 2007

At the start of the 2007-2008 school year, thousands of Palestinian students in East Jerusalem are being denied access to free public education, although they are entitled to it by Israeli law. Only about half of the Palestinian children in East Jerusalem presently study in the municipal school system. Approximately 9000 students are not registered in any of the above mentioned frameworks. Among those who succeed in entering the municipal school system, thousands are forced to study in classrooms that are nothing more than crowded bedrooms, apartments rented by the municipality, and houses that are not suitable for teaching purposes.

Digging on the Temple Mount Ir Amim Report, July 2007

During July 2007 there have been reports in the Israeli press of digging on the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif, carried out by the Waqf. While there is some truth in these reports, the bulk of what has been published tends to be exaggerated. For this reason, we believe it is important to set the record straight.

Post-Mortem on the Mugrabi Gate Case By Daniel Seidemann, June 2007

A comprehensive study and analysis of the events surrounding the Mugrabi Gate case was written by Daniel Seidemann and posted on the website of the University of Windor (Canada), as part of that university’s “Jerusalem Old City Initiative.”

Ir Amim Newsflash: New Settlements in East Jerusalem? Ir Amim Update, May 2007

At the beginning of May the head of the Jerusalem municipality planning board, Rabbi Joshua Pollak, held deliberations regarding the future expansion of Jerusalem. In this context, the planning board discussed massive settlement constructionprojects planned for the Walleja area in the south, the Atarot Airport in the north, and the Kidmat Zion area, in the east, south of E1. These projects are not new. They have all been on the drawing board or in drawers for many years. All of these plans are part of a discussion over a master plan for Jerusalem that remains in the pre-planning stages. The deliberations concluded with a decision to expedite the projects. The statutory process required before any of the projects can be approved, much less implemented, has not yet begun.

The Old City and the Historic Basin: Issues of Concern and Recent Developments Ir Amim Report, March 2007

Jerusalem’s Old City and its adjacent areas also referred to as the “Holy Basin” or “Historic Basin” -- stand at the center of a bitter struggle between two national narratives (Israeli and Palestinian) and three religious narratives (Jewish, Muslim, and Christian). While this struggle is not new, recent developments threaten to upset the delicate status quo that has long existed between the narratives.  Together, these developments are reducing the conflict to its volatile core -- the battle over the physical embodiments of each side’s narrative.

Mugrabi Gate Update: Construction Off the Table (for now), Problematic Excavations Continue Ir Amim Update, February 2007

Plans to construct a new, massively expanded bridge to replace the present (temporary) Mugrabi Gate acces ramp are off the table, at least for the time being. While Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and his Cabinet voted to move ahead with the plan, despite the international outcry and violence/tension on the ground that the plan has already sparked, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski couragously intervened to halt the project.

The Mugrabi Gate Access Ramp: A Troubling Developments in the Old City Ir Amim Report, January 2007

On February 14, 2004, torrential rains led to collapse of the earthwork ramp that connected the Western Wall compound to the Mugrabi Gate since 1967. The Israeli authorities faced the dilemma of how to restore access to the Mugrabi Gate, given the deep sensitivities that exist with respect to changes in the status quo in this area.

Beyond The Wall Ir Amim Report, January 2007

One quarter of Jerusalem's Palestinian population - some 55,000 residents - will be separated from the city as a result of construction of the separation barrier. This calls into question Israel's claim that security alone dictated the barrier's route, and points to the political and demographic considerations behind it. Israel's unilateral policy does not take into account the needs of Jerusalem's Palestinian residents and risks damaging the city itself as well as a future resolution of the conflict. The report examines the barrier's impact on Jerusalem and its implications for Israel's long-term interests.

Inadequacies in the Public Education Infrastructure for Palestinians in East Jerusalem - Overview Ir Amim Report, September 2006

As the 2006/7 school year opens, thousands of Palestinian children in East Jerusalem are being denied access to free public education, to which they are entitled under Israeli law. The existing situation not only hurts Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem; it hurts the Israeli public as well. The continuing neglect of tens of thousands of school children is bound to erupt, and the aftershocks of the eruption will be felt beyond the eastern, Palestinian part of the city.

Sheikh Sa'ad and the Separation Barrier: Trends in Jerusalem Ir Amim Report, August 2006

The Sheikh Sa'ad neighborhood has been the focus of a court battle and public debate regarding its future and its residents’ continued connection with Jerusalem. The case casts light on several aspects of Israeli policy in the Jerusalem area. Ir Amim regards Sheikh Sa'ad as a litmus test with respect to other neighborhoods in the Jerusalem vicinity. The High Court’s forthcoming decision, and state policy as reflected in the route of the barrier in the Sheikh Sa'ad area, will have consequences in a number of key arenas, as this report will highlight: humanitarian (the “proportionality” question), security-related, demographic, and urban.

Jerusalem Neighborhood Profile: Shuafat Refugee Camp Ir Amim Report, August 2006

The Shuafat Refugee Camp in Jerusalem is unique, not only because it is the only Palestinian refugee camp in Jerusalem, but also because it has the distinction of being the only location where the three main issues at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian overlap: refugees, security and Jerusalem. For all of these reasons, Israel has in the past tried to ignore the existence of Shuafat Refugee Camp and today is constructing a security barrier that excludes Shuafat Refugee Camp and its residents from the city.

Report on Ir Amim's Involvement to Assure Unhampered Palestinians Elections and to Strengthen Civil Society in East Jerusalem Ir Amim Report, January 2006

On January 9, 2005, Palestinians throughout the West Bank and Gaza voted for President of the Palestinian Authority - for the first time since 1996. Suddenly, after years of armed conflict, the Palestinians and the Israelis needed to shift gears; and quickly negotiate procedures for democratic elections in the Palestinian Authority. These procedures were particularly complex in Jerusalem, where the 230,000 Palestinian residents of Jerusalem are ambiguously tied both to Israel, and to the Palestinian entity. Ir Amim views the participation of East Jerusalemites in Palestinian elections as an important step in building a democratic Palestinian State side by side with Israel. This report presents an overview of Ir Amim's involvement in assuring unhampered elections in East Jerusalem; and our impressions of new trends within the Palestinian civil society - as seen through the elections.

Access to Public Education for Palestinians Residents of East Jerusalem Ir Amim Report, October 2005

The purpose of this report is to shed light on the issue of access to public education in East Jerusalem: in particular – acceptance into the system, and the physical infrastructure of classroom availability. These issues received significant public attention at the opening of the 2005/6 school year, especially since the systemic problems that have been known for years are now exacerbated by the existence of the Separation Barrier in and around the city.

Jerusalem in the shadow of the disengagement from Gaza Ir Amim Position Paper, August 2005

With local and international attention focused on the disengagement from Gaza, the Israeli government is currently implementing policies intended to expand the borders of Greater Jerusalem, to appropriate East Jerusalem, and to create facts on the ground that may well thwart any chance for Palestinians and Israelis to arrive at a political solution. Ir Amim believes that this policy has far-reaching negative ramifications for the status and stability of Jerusalem, and for the future of relations and negotiations with the Palestinians toward a political settlement. This position paper is written with the purpose to illuminate these intentions and the manner in which they are being carried out, and to warn about their possible consequences.

The E-1 Settlement is not Ma'aleh Adummim Ir Amim Position Paper, April 2005

Allegedly, this controversy pertains to the city of Ma’aleh Adummim to the east of Jerusalem. But E1 is not a part of Ma’aleh Adummim. The proposed building in E1 differs in principle from building in the city of Ma’aleh Adummim both topographically and in terms of its political ramifications. E1’s inclusion within Ma'aleh Adummim's municipal boundaries was designed to give the impression that they are one and the same, but this is not the case.

The Absentee Property Law in East Jerusalem: Recent Developments and their Significance Ir Amim Report, April 2005

The second half of 2004 witnessed a re-emergence of the use of the Absentee Property Law in East Jerusalem.  In what seemed to be an unexpected secret an effort to seize thousands of dunams of land, privately owned by Palestinians, in East Jerusalem and transfer them to the State’s Development Authority. This policy reveals the intensification of government policy: using the Separation Barrier (the “Jerusalem Envelope”) to disconnect East Jerusalem from the West Bank, and increasingly “Israelize” the Eastern part of the city.  Had it not been halted – through the vigilance of non-governmental groups and the press, and ultimately through the intervention of the Attorney General – this clandestine operation would have enabled the construction of new Jewish neighborhoods along the southern flank of the Separation Barrier; sealing off the Palestinian neighborhoods of southeast Jerusalem from their West Bank environs. The following report will discuss these developments and their significance, and will briefly describe the work done to counter this government policy.

The January 2005 Palestinian Elections in East Jerusalem Ir Amim and the Peace and Democracy Forum Report, January 2005

Immediately upon the death of Yasser Arafat, it became clear that the first critical step in the transition to the new leadership would be to conduct elections for the new Palestinian “Rais” within the legally stipulated sixty days. It also became apparent that these elections would figure prominently on both the domestic Palestinian and Israeli public agendas, and in the international arena. This report derives from the shared experience of two NGO’s, one Palestinian (The Peace and Democracy Forum), one Israeli (Ir Amim), who were intimately involved in the elections that took place in East Jerusalem. We aspire to offer a shared analysis of the events in Jerusalem that led up to the January 9, 2005 elections, a description of the election day itself, and the lessons that should be derived from them.

Developments in Jerusalem - By Daniel Seidemann Position Paper, November 2004

A brief summary of developments on the ground in Jerusalem and its immediate environs during the first eleven months of 2004.