Twenty families are expected to move into a predominately Arab area in the northeastern part of the capital, known as Samir Amis, close to Atarot, overlooking the airport in the northern capital.

The families explain that as far back as 1973, they purchased 22 dunams (5.5 acres) of land which over the years were overrun by fraudulent land dealers, who sold the parcels to Arab agents, the daily Yisrael HaYom reports. These deals resulted in the building of 8 large illegal buildings on the land.

According to Aryeh King, who represents the Jewish land owners on behalf of the Yoshvei HaHar Company, the relevant agencies seem to be evading their responsibility to address the matter. King explains that he turned to Jerusalem City Hall and was referred to the Housing Ministry and then shuffled in-between agencies. City Hall accuses police of failing to provide adequate protection for municipal inspectors, therefore the area in question is not monitored by law-enforcement agents.

The land in question is quite controversial since 15 of the 22 dunam are located on the other side of the barrier, under Israeli military control however. King explains they in addition to redeeming the land, it is imperative to dispel the misconception of the tainted policy that these lands are not Jewish when indeed, they are owned by Jews as can be proven with documentation.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)