Israel Declares 370 Dunams of Jerusalem Land as State Property

sajadi Editor : Widi - Tuesday, 1 September 2026 - 08:09 WIB

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 - 08:09 WIB

8 Views

Jerusalem, MINA – The Israeli occupation authorities have issued a new declaration designating 370.28 dunams of land in Jerusalem’s Abu Dis and Arab al-Sawahra as “state land,” according to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission (CWRC), as cited by Wafa.

The declaration, issued under Military Order No. 59 of 1967, targets Plots 3 and 6 in Abu Dis and Plot 5 in Arab al-Sawahra, placing the land under the so-called “Custodian of Government Property.”

The move is part of steps to establish the “Mishmar Yehuda” colony. In December 2025, authorities published a “Blue Line Team declaration” covering approximately 3,380 dunams for the project. With the new designation, the total land allocated for the colony would reach around 3,750 dunams.

The announcement coincides with preparations for the colony’s first master plan, which includes approximately 3,600 colonial units, paving the way for its transformation into a large settlement east of Jerusalem.

In February 2023, the occupation government approved the establishment of “Mishmar Yehuda,” and a year later, the Central Command commander signed an order defining its jurisdictional boundaries.

According to the CWRC, this sequence reveals an integrated government policy that begins with recognizing the outpost, defining its jurisdiction, reclassifying land, and eventually planning thousands of housing units linked to infrastructure.

Such measures further entrench the colonial belt east of Jerusalem, separating the city from its Palestinian surroundings and restricting space for Abu Dis, al-Eizariya, al-Sawahra, and Bedouin communities in Wadi Abu Hindi.

The CWRC noted that the designation poses an existential threat to the al-Muntar Bedouin community, home to 112 Palestinian families, turning their homes, school, grazing areas, and movement routes into “state property” subject to colonial projects. This could lead to tighter construction, grazing, and access restrictions, as well as expanded demolition and forced displacement orders.

The CWRC stressed that designating land as “state property” does not grant Israel sovereign rights or alter its status as occupied Palestinian territory.

Under occupation law, the occupying power is only a temporary administrator of public property, and establishing colonies violates international law. Rights holders may file objections within 45 days of the declaration’s publication.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)