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Jerusalem Demolishes 57 Palestinian Homes for Kings Garden

5/17/2026

50 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Jerusalem municipality is demolishing Palestinian homes in al-Bustan, East Jerusalem, to build the Kings Garden theme park.
Over 57 homes have been razed in the past two years, with eight more slated for demolition.
Jalal al-Tawil hired his own equipment, paying less than one-tenth of the 280,000-shekel municipal fee.
Residents such as Amina Abu Diab say the demolitions leave children homeless and erode their sense of security.

History

Historical Context

After Israel captured East Jerusalem in the June 1967 Six-Day War, it incorporated the area into its municipal boundaries, a move later reinforced by UN Security Council Resolution 242 (Nov 1967) calling for withdrawal from occupied territories. The expansion set a pattern of settlement growth and home demolitions that continues to draw UN criticism and hampers peace talks.

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Story summary

The Jerusalem municipality is demolishing Palestinian homes in al-Bustan, East Jerusalem, to build the Kings Garden theme park.
Over 57 homes have been razed in the past two years, with eight more slated for demolition.
Jalal al-Tawil hired his own equipment, paying less than one-tenth of the 280,000-shekel municipal fee.
Residents such as Amina Abu Diab say the demolitions leave children homeless and erode their sense of security.

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