Israel moves to advance plan for 9,000 housing units in occupied East Jerusalem

Israeli authorities are set to advance plans this week to build around 9,000 new housing units in an illegal settlement at the site of the abandoned Qalandiya airport in occupied East Jerusalem.

This is a move critics say would further fragment Palestinian territory and undermine the possibility of a future Palestinian state.

According to Israeli watchdog Peace Now, the proposal — known as the Atarot settlement plan — will be discussed on Wednesday by the District Planning and Building Committee, which is expected to approve its outlines. The project is located in northern East Jerusalem and would create a large Israeli enclave amid densely populated Palestinian areas stretching from Ramallah and Kafr Aqab to Qalandiya refugee camp, ar-Ram, Beit Hanina, and Bir Nabala.

Peace Now warned that the settlement would block territorial continuity between East Jerusalem and the surrounding Palestinian communities, effectively preventing the establishment of a viable, contiguous Palestinian state. “This is a destructive plan that would sever East Jerusalem from its Palestinian hinterland,” the group said.

The plan dates back to early 2020, when Israel’s Housing Ministry submitted it to the Jerusalem municipality. While bureaucratic preparations were completed within months, objections were raised by Israel’s Environmental Protection and Health ministries. The proposal also faced opposition from the administration of former US President Barack Obama, Peace Now noted.

Most of the land designated for the project has been classified by Israeli authorities as “state land,” meaning Palestinian landowners’ consent would not be required. Even if planning approval is granted, the project would still need additional government clearances before construction tenders can be issued.

The move comes amid a broader acceleration of Israeli settlement activity and annexation measures in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Last week, Israel’s security cabinet approved plans to formalise 19 illegal settlements in the West Bank, drawing criticism from international observers.

At the same time, Israeli forces have continued demolition operations and arrest raids across the occupied West Bank. On Wednesday, authorities carried out demolitions in the town of Biddu, northwest of East Jerusalem, citing a lack of permits. In the Ramallah district, settlers attacked the village of Ein Yabrud, burning vehicles and spray-painting racist slogans, according to local reports.

Palestinian officials also said the Israeli military plans to demolish 25 residential buildings in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the coming days, further heightening tensions in the occupied territories.