LONDON: A new Israeli government decision to complete land registration across East Jerusalem by 2029 is raising alarm among rights groups and legal experts, who warn it could accelerate the loss of Palestinian property on an unprecedented scale.
Government Resolution No. 3792, announced in early February, expands resources for Settlement of Land Title procedures and formally integrates the Custodian of Absentee Property as an implementing authority.
Critics say the move could reshape land ownership in the city for decades to come.
The measure marks the first Israeli government decision devoted specifically to advancing land title settlement in East Jerusalem and the first to designate the Custodian of Absentee Property as an implementing authority with a dedicated budget.
Rights organizations say the policy carries significant risks for Palestinian residents. Architect and urban planner Sari Kronish said the current phase does not differ from previous SOLT procedures. In practice, however, the pattern of registrations has been telling.
