National parks as tool for constraining Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem
In 2013, the Jerusalem Regional Planning Committee approved two new national parks in East Jerusalem: Mount Scopus Slopes and Refa’im Stream, joining existing parks like Tzurim Valley and Jerusalem Walls. These parks are located on Palestinian-owned lands and are intended to limit Palestinian development, furthering political goals like maintaining a Jewish majority in Jerusalem. The parks restrict construction and urban development, while also promoting a narrative that denies Palestinian heritage in the area. The Jerusalem Municipality has ceded planning authority to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, exacerbating living conditions for Palestinian residents.
This entry is original published by B'TSELEM.
