The Jerusalem Governorate has issued a stark warning against the Israeli settlement plan No. (1627/7), known as the "Shami Neighborhood." It described the plan as an advanced tool for "re-engineering" the Bedouin presence in the wilderness of the occupied Jerusalem Governorate, as part of ongoing Israeli policies aimed at altering the geographic and demographic reality east of the occupied city in favor of expansive settlement projects, most notably the "E1" project.
اضافة اعلان
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Governorate explained that the occupation authorities deposited the plan on March 25, 2026, through the so-called "Subcommittee for Planning and Licensing" of the Higher Planning Council in the "Civil Administration." The plan targets lands in the town of Abu Dis (within Basin No. 4), covering an area of approximately 169.9 dunams.
Details of the Plan:
Land Transformation: The plan aims to convert agricultural and open lands into an urban residential neighborhood classified as "Housing B."
Zoning: Approximately 79 dunams are allocated for residential construction and over 35 dunams for a road network.
Density: The project imposes an urban density of 12 housing units per dunam, with building heights reaching up to 6 stories.
Targeted Displacement:
The Governorate emphasized that the plan directly targets Bedouin communities, including Khan al-Ahmar, Abu Nuwar, and Arab al-Jahalin, as well as the communities of Wadi Jamal, Jabal al-Baba, Wadi Sneysel, and Bir al-Maskoub. The objective is their forcible transfer into a closed urban collective, leading to the dismantling of their social fabric and the destruction of their pastoral economy.
The "E1" Connection and Strategic Impact:
The Jerusalem Governorate pointed out that this plan is intrinsically linked to the E1 settlement project, which seeks to link the "Ma'ale Adumim" settlement to Jerusalem. This would effectively bisect the West Bank, separating the north from the south and undermining the possibility of a geographically contiguous Palestinian state. The Bedouin presence is viewed as an obstacle to this project, explaining why they are targeted for removal.
Violations of International Law:
The Governorate asserted that the plan violates International Humanitarian Law, including:
The absolute prohibition on forcible transfer under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The right to adequate housing and livelihoods.
The prohibition of settlement activity in occupied territories.
The statement warned that the 62-day objection period does not change the coercive nature of the plan, given the lack of procedural justice. The Governorate called upon the international community to fulfill its legal and humanitarian responsibilities and take urgent action to halt the plan and support the steadfastness of the targeted Bedouin communities on their land.
