CPT Palestine #2: A Divided Israel

Abandoned Arab homes in Lifta, Jerusalem. The inhabitants fled during the 1948 Nakba (translated to English as "Catastrophe", or known in Israel as their "War of Independence")

Legally, East Jerusalem is occupied territory belonging to Palestine. However, you wouldn’t know it because Israel identifies it as their land and people can drive from one end to the other – it’s one city. It is also entirely within Israel's massive wall (or "security fence", according to Israel). Although all of Jerusalem is claimed by Israel, there is clear evidence of policies aimed to keep land in and the people out of Israel

For example, Arab residents whose family have lived in Jerusalem for generations are often given “permanent residency” status rather than Israeli citizenship. To maintain residency within Jerusalem, they have to ensure that it is their primary residency or their living permits are revoked. There are unannounced residency checks late at the night. If the door is not answered, it is concluded that the house is empty and residency permit is revoked.

In addition to this, rent is extremely high, marriage outside of Israel results in loss of residency, access to the Arab Al Quds University is made extremely difficult, Israel does not recognize degrees from Al Quds University (although many other countries do), and they are cut off from trade and employment. It is clear that the aim to push the Arab people out of Israel and East Jerusalem, while keeping the land in.

Since Arab families generally have a higher birthrate than Jewish-Israeli families, it would make sense to assume that their percentage of the population will grow - and it does. At some point, it is estimated that the Arab population in Jerusalem will outnumber the Jewish-Israeli population. That said, the “strategic plans” of Israel include a “religious section”. The goal for Jerusalem in the most recent plant is to have a 70% Jewish and 30% non-Jewish population. Israel is one of the only countries in the world to include a religion section in something like this.

If Israel doesn’t acknowledge the divide between Israeli and Palestinian land within Jerusalem, wouldn’t they at least treat it like their own?

No, even without it being recognized by Israel as Palestinian, you can see how East Jerusalem, the "Arab Section", receives very little, if any, development funding from Israel. Every year, an extra allotment of funding is given by Israel to Jerusalem for development purposes. It is clear which part of Jerusalem receives this funding. We had a decent lookout point at Jabal El Mukabar, where we could see the high-rise skyscrapers and greenery in West Jerusalem situated directly beside the old, brown buildings of Easts Jerusalem. Every house in East Jerusalem was topped with a water tank.

Lookout at Jabal El Mukabar with out guide explaining the view and situation surrounding it. To the right is East Jerusalem. It is difficult to see, but the buildings are quite old and there are water tanks on top of everything. In the far left corner is West Jerusalem with new skyscrapers and around seven cranes in sight at the time of this photo.

Building permits are impossible to attain in East Jerusalem. If someone builds without a permit, the entire house is demolished. While Israeli law demands demolished houses are cleaned up around two weeks after demolition, the demolished houses in East Jerusalem are left for much longer as a message to the residents. Every house in East Jerusalem is topped with a water tank because their water supply could stop randomly - this doesn't happen in West Jerusalem.


Another important example of the discriminatory policies is that of two Arab towns on the outskirts of East Jerusalem, still within the Wall. They are blocked in on almost all sides yet are completely packed with people; they need to expand. Between the two towns, there is an open expanse of land that would naturally be built on to satisfy this expansion. The land is completely barren. However, Israel has cut off access to this land for "protection of the native species". There are hardly any plants in the area - there are no natural species here. Even Israeli environmentalists criticized Israel's decision to preserve this land. The sole purpose of it is to prevent the two Arab towns from expanding into it. This is a further continuation of the underlying policy of keeping Arab land in and Arab people out.

To the left and right are the two Arab towns. Behind us is the larger city of East Jerusalem. Far in the distance of this photo is the Apartheid Wall. In the middle, behind the trees, is the expanse taken under reserve for "environmental conservation" (the part with the trees is not part of this).

Another day while still staying in Jerusalem, we visited the Negev region, in southern Israel. The Negev is primarily populated by Bedouin communities, recognized internationally as the poorest people in all of Israel. Even Israel recognizes them as citizens, yet houses are demolished regularly and very few, if any, government funding or social services are provided. They generally have around one small medical clinic for several villages, live in corrugated metal structures, no electricity, a severe lack in other important infrastructure, and very few graduate high school. Less than 1% graduate post-secondary school. The towns are largely unrecognized by Israel, even though their inhabitants all hold Israeli passports.

One home in a typical Bedouin community in the Negev

Bedouins are often said to be a nomadic people. However, there is a lot of conflict surround this. Historically, only the shepherds were “nomadic” in order to keep finding food for their sheep. It’s a desert – not a lot grows there. However, there were still primary structures set up where people would live. The few of them that were “nomadic” were purely out of necessity for the sheep and for food – it was not a desired way to live. Many Bedouins nowadays loathe using the term “nomadic”. Within Israel, calling them "nomadic" gives the Israeli government the ability to deny Bedouin villages legitimacy, contributing to why Israel doesn't recognize the majority of Bedouin villages in the Negev.

Another reason Israel doesn't recognize these towns (aside from, y'know, racism) is the lack of documentation. The Bedouin have never had written documentation of their ownership of the land - they have never needed it. Even during both British and Ottoman rule, the never had documentation but their rights to live in the lands were still recognized.

A woman joined us on the trip and gave us a tour of the Negev. We noticed giant electrical plants directly beside many of the villages. This would never fly in Canada.

A somewhat confusing photo taken from the bus, this is one of the electrical plants directly beside the town

At some points it even extends over top of Bedouin roads and buildings

We visited Al Arakib, a town in which the inhabitants' families have lived for multiple generations, yet it is unrecognized by Israeli. Their homes have been demolished multiple times. We were lucky enough to meet the Sheikh of Al Arakib. A figure of resilience and perseverance, he spoke to us about the difficulties of the town's inhabitants, the number of times it's been destroyed, their multiple legal battles, and Bedouin history in the region.

A rather symbolic photo of the Sheikh walking out into his town's land

The town was celebrating its anniversary of having been rebuilt multiple times. As part of this, they had a large poster board full of photos.

A woman beside what was formerly her home - Al Araqib. From the poster board.

This poster of the Sheikh of Al-Araqib gave us all a chuckle.

Still standing strong

During the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, the Israeli government classified the entire Bedouin area of the Negev "open areas". Therefore they did not have warning sirens or anti-rocket protection. 




We visited multiple Bedouin communities, many of which are unrecognized by Israel, and heard from many of the Bedouin people about the situation. Despite extreme poverty, every single community we went to had a large shelter from the sun with cushions for us to sit on. They served us each a cup of sage tea, Arab coffee, and water, ensuring our cups were always full. It was rude to refuse. This culture of hospitality shocked many of us regardless of how little one has, they still treat guests with honor and there is always something to give.

The teapot, coffee pot, and bottle of water that went around multiple times and was always kept full.

Note: these photos are not my own. We had different people as “designated photographer” for the day, so to give more respect/attention to the speakers and avoid all of us taking photos at the time.