on the development of the affected neighborhoods of Silwan, and deny residents access to their properties and lands.196 Al-Bustan neighborhood Residents of al-Bustan neighborhood in Silwan also experience de facto land confiscation. In 1976, under City Master Plan No. 9, al-Bustan was declared an open area, prohibiting any further construction and development there.197 In 2010, the Jerusalem municipality published the plan for the King’s Garden National Park,198 an expansion of the City of David National Park.199 The King’s Garden National Park is in the valley portion of al-Bustan that contains 90 Palestinian homes built after 1976 in response to the natural growth of the Palestinian population there. All of these homes, constructed without permits, are slated for demolition. If these demolitions are carried out, they will result in the forcible transfer of the Palestinian inhabitants.200 From 2009-2010, the Israeli government attempted to force the Palestinian residents of al-Bustan to relocate to Beit Hanina, another Palestinian neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Now, in 2017, Israel plans to relocate the families to the eastern part of al-Bustan, while demolishing 22 homes in the western part.201 This forcible relocation plan, which affects more than 20 families, is illegal under international law as it would amount to forcible transfer. The Israeli-controlled municipality, moreover, has no authority to build new homes for these families on land owned by other Palestinians in western al-Bustan.202 Alongside these demolition orders and evictions, families face lawsuits and criminalization of those who try to resist the confiscation of their land. In addition to being denied building permits to renovate or expand their homes to accommodate growing families, residents are also deprived access to services such as education, waste management, and industry.203 196 Bimkom, “From Public to National: National Parks in East Jerusalem,” 31, supra note 189. 197 B’Tselem, “Al Bustan Neighborhood - Garden of the King”, 16 September 2017, available at: http://www.btselem.org/jerusalem/national_parks_al_bustan_garden_of_the_king [accessed 22 September 2017] [hereinafter B’Tselem, “Al Bustan”]. 198 Bimkom, “From Public to National: National Parks in East Jerusalem,” 26, supra note 189. 199 Rapoport, “Shady Dealings in Silwan,” 19, supra note 176. 200 B’tselem, “Al Bustan”, supra note 197. 201 B’Tselem, “Jerusalem Walls National Park”, supra note 191. 202 B’tselem, “Al Bustan”, supra note 197. 203 B’Tselem, “Batan al-Hawa”, supra note 179; Rapoport, “Shady Dealings in Silwan”, 10, supra note 176. 69

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