Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:00pm on 16 May 2026,Saturday International
Palestinian families in Jerusalem’s al-Bustan neighborhood are being forced to demolish their own homes to avoid heavy municipal demolition fees as Israeli authorities push ahead with plans for the biblical-themed “King’s Garden” park near the Old City. More than 57 homes have already been destroyed in the Silwan area, with several more facing demolition soon. Residents and rights groups accuse Israel of erasing Palestinian identity and expanding settler-backed tourism projects under a religious narrative linked to King Solomon. Israeli authorities claim the homes were illegally built, while Palestinians argue building permits are nearly impossible to obtain in East Jerusalem. (PC: The Guardian)
