The Jerusalem District Planning Committee has approved the construction of an 11-storey ultra-Orthodox Jewish religious school, Or Somayach, in Sheikh Jarrah. The development will occupy five dunams of land opposite the Sheikh Jarrah Mosque and will include dormitories and housing for staff. Palestinian officials have condemned the decision, viewing it as part of a broader strategy to further displace Palestinians amid regional conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. The project is part of a systematic effort to increase the settler population in East Jerusalem, undermining the feasibility of a two-state solution and violating international law. The approval follows previous actions, including the E1 housing plan, which connects East Jerusalem to Israeli settlements and restricts Palestinian access to their land.
Why It Matters
The construction of the Or Somayach yeshiva is emblematic of ongoing Israeli settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territories, which violate the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibiting settlement in occupied lands. Historical land seizures under the guise of public needs have facilitated these projects, contributing to the systematic displacement of Palestinian communities. The recent approvals for settlement expansion, particularly in East Jerusalem, not only threaten the viability of a future Palestinian state but also escalate tensions in the region by altering the demographic balance and increasing security measures against Palestinian residents.
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