Israel Moves Forward with Its Colonization Plan in Occupied East Jerusalem

Illegal Colonization Plans in Jerusalem

On Sunday, Israeli authorities announced preparations to advance two significant illegal colonization plans in occupied East Jerusalem, which, according to Palestinian officials and experts, would deal a fatal blow to hopes of creating a contiguous Palestinian state.

The Israeli authorities are discussing the approval of 9,000 housing units on the ruins of the Qalandiya Airport, also known as Atarot, along with a separate project in Sheikh Jarrah that aims to displace 40 families.

Strategic Implications

Political analyst Suhail Khalilieh explained that the Atarot plan was temporarily suspended in December 2025, but has now re-emerged on the agenda of authorities. According to him, the timing is directly related to geopolitical shifts following a recent meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump. "The meeting served as a green light for the continuation of colonial expansion," he stated.

City Separation

The airport project is not limited to housing; it constitutes a strategic tightening. Khalilieh emphasized that the Atarot colonization is part of a broader plan aimed at creating an extensive zone of Israeli control over Jerusalem, thus affecting the geographical continuity of Palestinian neighborhoods.

Silent Transfer

He warned that Israel uses neutral terms like "urban renewal" to mask a policy of forced displacement, adding that over 300 Palestinian homes have been demolished in East Jerusalem in 2025 alone.

Resolving this situation requires swift legal and diplomatic interventions before construction begins, highlighting that reversing already established facts is "almost politically impossible."