Palestinians forced to demolish own homes to make way for Israeli theme park
Residents of the al-Bustan neighborhood in East Jerusalem are being forced to demolish their own homes to avoid higher costs imposed by the municipality. The demolitions make way for a biblical-themed park called Kings Garden, planned on land with disputed historical significance. This process is part of a broader pattern of displacing Palestinian communities to emphasize Jerusalem's Jewish heritage while erasing its Palestinian character.
- ▪More than 57 homes in al-Bustan have been demolished in the past two years, with at least eight more slated for demolition soon.
- ▪Residents are opting to demolish their own homes to save money, as municipal demolitions would cost over ten times more.
- ▪The Kings Garden theme park is planned for the site, promoted as a location where King Solomon once lived, despite contested archaeological evidence.
- ▪Palestinians in al-Bustan face displacement as part of a larger effort to reshape East Jerusalem’s cultural and historical narrative.
- ▪Aviv Tatarsky of Ir Amim states the project reflects Israel’s refusal to acknowledge Jerusalem’s multicultural reality and erases non-Jewish presence.
- ▪The demolitions are economically driven, with families choosing self-demolition to avoid exorbitant fees and greater destruction by municipal crews.
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More than 57 homes in al-Bustan have been demolished in the past two years with at least eight designated for demolition in the next few weeks. Photograph: Quique Kierszenbaum/The GuardianView image in fullscreenMore than 57 homes in al-Bustan have been demolished in the past two years with at least eight designated for demolition in the next few weeks. Photograph: Quique Kierszenbaum/The GuardianWorld newsPalestinians forced to demolish own homes to make way for Israeli theme parkResidents of al-Bustan district told to make way for Kings Garden, with knocking down own houses cheaper optionJulian Borger, Quique Kierszenbaum and Sufian Taha in Jerusalem Sat 16 May 2026 03.00 EDTLast modified on Sat 16 May 2026 04.03 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleAt the bottom of a steep and densely…
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