Israel plans to place 90,000 Palestinians from Greater Jerusalem under military authority

Media reports in Israel claim that the government is planning to transfer responsibility for up to 90,000 Palestinians from Greater Jerusalem to the military authorities. Haaretz newspaper cites the Israeli-led municipality which has asked the Israel Defence Forces “to take responsibility for handling civilian matters pertaining to Jerusalem”. This is believed to be a reference to the plans to withhold municipal services to districts of Jerusalem beyond the Apartheid Wall and for the army to provide such services. Meetings have been held between the municipality and the officer co-ordinating government activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Major General Eitan Dangot.

---

According to agreements between the Israelis and the Palestinian Authority, PA security and other officials are not allowed to work in these districts due to so-called “security concerns”.

Around 90,000 Palestinians live in Shu’fat refugee camp, Ras Khamis and Dahiyat As-Salam in the districts being transferred to military supervision. All already suffer from difficult living conditions and serious shortages of essential services.