Judaization of Jerusalem and Israeli measures

Since Jerusalem fell under the occupation of Israel, in the aftermath of 1967 war, the auhorities in the Jewish state have adopted specific measures to bring about its Judaization and annexation. These measures included the expulsion of the Arab natives of Jerusalem, confiscation of their land and property, destruction of their houses, and sacrilege of the holy places of both Christians and muslims alike. The aim of these measures was to alter the Arab cultural, demographic and historical character of the holy city. Following are some specimen measures and policies of ethnic cleansing, sacrilege and confiscation of land and property adopted by Israel to marginalise the Arab population of the land in order to Judaize it:

* Some 80,000 Arab citizens have been forcibly driven out of thier homes in Jerusalem

* Confiscation of over 35% land in East Jerusalem for the establishment of illegal Jewish settelments and roads.

* Burning of Al Aqsa mosque (1969), damaging some parts of it including the famous Saladin pulpit.

* Bulldozing the villages of Yalu, Beit Noba, Amwas and Maghribi quarter in the vicinity of Jerusalem.

*Demolition of palestinian houses and properties and perpetration of massacres at the vicinity of Al Haram Al Shareef.

*Extensive excavations beneath Al Haram Al Shareef posing serious threats to the structure of the holy shrine, effecting its possible collapse.

*Looting of Christian holy places, stealing precious ancient and rare icons, ornaments and paintings.

*Annexation of Old Jerusalem, declaring it as the eternal capital of Israel, in flagrant violation of UN resolutions and the fourth Geneva Convention.

*Sanctions by Israeli courts to allow jewish groups to conduct prayers at Al Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

* Closure of palestinian institutions, religious and others.

*Conspiring to blow up the holy mosque of Al Aqsa, more than once.

* Gross violation of Human Rights of the Palestinians.

* Confiscation of Arab citizens’ identity proofs and denying residence to those who leave the city even temporarily.