Ocha: Israel has seized 35% of occupied East Jerusalem since 1967

Gulfnews.com
By Nasouh Nazzal, Correspondent
Published: 15:52 May 10, 2011

Israelis have seized more than one third of the total land in occupied East Jerusalem, according to report

Ramallah: Israeli authorities have seized 35 per cent of lands and properties in occupied East Jerusalem since 1967, according to a report by the United Nation Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha).

In the report, Ocha said that Israelis have seized more than one third of the total land and properties in the area to create new colonies and expand existing ones.

The report is the first of its kind issued by a UN department to address the general conditions of the Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem.

The report added that Israelis dedicate less than 13 per cent of the lands of occupied East Jerusalem for the Palestinians who find themselves with very limited options and force them to go for the illegal construction of new houses to accommodate their increasing families.

The report also said that Israelis have demolished more than 2,000 Palestinian houses in the past forty four years.