Glassman Campus in Sheikh Jarrah

On January 1, Ir Amim reported that the Local Planning and Building Committee struck discussion of the proposed Glassman Campus from its agenda. The project has now returned to the agenda for this Wednesday’s discussion.

Background

The Glassman Campus (TPS 68858) plan calls for a new 12-story building at the entrance of Sheikh Jarrah designed to serve as a yeshiva and dormitories. According to recently reviewed documents from the Jerusalem Municipality, the Israel Land Administration has conveyed the land for the project to Or Sameach, a religious organization.

Despite the fact that the master plan for the area designates the plot for educational buildings to benefit the local population, the Municipality has demonstrated support for the current plan. Out of the 4.2 dunam in question, the main building will be erected on 1.9 dunams, another 1.3 dunams will serve as open private area for the yeshiva and the remaining 1 dunam will be used for storage facilities for the Municipality.

The significance of this project cannot be underestimated. Creation of a residential compound housing dozens of young religious men at the entrance to Sheikh Jarrah will exacerbate simmering tensions in the neighborhood while strengthening settlers’ hold on this Palestinian community. The Committee is likely to recommend that the plan be deposited for objections.

Today’s Demolitions

Today, at approximately 6:30 AM, authorities demolished a 130 square meter residential structure in the Wadi Kadum section of Silwan, displacing a family of six. The demolition was completed by 8:00 AM.

Also today, at approximately 10:00 AM, authorities demolished a caravan in the Sahel section of Al-Tur. Although the caravan was stationed on a flatbed and the owner asked for a reprieve to locate a functioning truck in order to move it, authorities removed the furniture from the caravan and bulldozed it within half an hour. At one time used as a residence, the caravan was uninhabited at the time of demolition.

These demolitions raise the total number carried out since the beginning of the year to eleven, including one self-demolition. Impacted communities include Beit Hanina and Jabal Mukaber (4 demolitions in these two neighborhoods conducted last week), Sur Bahar and Isawiyya.

Please address all inquiries to:

Betty Herschman
Director of International Relations and Advocacy
Ir Amim (City of Nations/City of Peoples)
betty@ir-amim.org.il