Right-wingers from Jerusalem municipality came out with an unbelievably racist program—the transfer of Palestinians from East Jerusalem. Or so the reports say. There are a few buts:
- the transfer has to be voluntary, with Arabs receiving full compensation.
- the Arabs are being asked to move from archeologically sensitive Silwan to other areas of East Jerusalem.
- the proposal only affects 88 buildings, which are illegal in the first place.
Arab residents of Silwan have built scores of illegal houses, vandalizing archeological remains. The courts issued eviction orders, but police cannot enforce them for fear of riots. The Jews are offering the Arabs compensation for the illegal property, which must be demolished according to court order.
Jerusalem municipality routinely carries out demolition orders against Jewish families for minor violations of building codes.
