Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) --

 New construction plans submitted by settler group Elad to the Jerusalem Municipality’s Planning and Construction Committee were approved in a markedly short space of time. The plan, which outline the construction of several huge new buildings, propose drastic changes to the entire layout of upper Silwan according to the Committee description. News of the approval came as no surprise to Palestinian residents of Silwan, as 15 new eviction orders were issued to families by the Municipality.
 
The first Elad plan proposes the construction of a 9,000 square metre building in what is currently Wadi Hilweh Park. The building, which will be partially below ground, will include subterranean passages comprising part of the tourist route through the fabled City of David. Elad, in coordination with the Municipality, have strenuously promoted Silwan as the site of King David’s biblical palace, despite having produced no archaeological evidence to support this claim, and indeed having revealed many relics of Islamic architecture in its extensive digging.
 
The plan also includes souvenir shops, Elad offices, and car park facilities to 250 vehicles, exclusively servicing City of David and Wailing Wall visitors. A bridge running from the Old City’s Dung Gate will connect to tThe top of the building.
 
Elad’s second plan submitted to the Committee is for a construction named Beit Hamayan, encompassing a Jewish cultural museum and an adjoining path enabling “better access” for tourists visiting the City of David.
 
The proposed plans will serve the interests of the 320 Israeli settlers living in Silwan, while ignoring the needs of its 55,000 Palestinian residents.