Not content with digging tunnels under Old Jerusalem, Israel plans a park on market roof

Israel has been digging tunnels under Old Jerusalem and its environs for years. Not content with this, the Israeli occupation authorities have revealed plans for what they are calling “the Park on the Market Roof”. Al-Aqsa Foundation for Religious Endowments and Islamic Heritage has described the proposal as yet another attempt to exert Israeli control over Palestinian properties in the occupied city.

The foundation said that a company called “Developing the Jewish Neighbourhood” is set to work on the project, which will involve the construction of a park and tourist track for Israeli settlers above the Palestinian shops and homes in the city. It follows a similar project which has been used to connect settlements together over the heads and homes of local Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem.

“This is another Judaisation project to undermine the Palestinian presence in Jerusalem,” said the foundation. “The Israeli occupation is spreading with another settlement in the heart of the Old City near to Al-Aqsa Mosque.” The organisation’s statement confirmed that a number of shop owners in Al-Lahamin and Al-Attarin Markets have already been visited by agents from the company responsible for the project, as have some homeowners.

Al-Aqsa Foundation called on Palestinians affected not to deal with the company or its agents in order to thwart the company’s plans.