Jerusalem – Ma’an – Israeli municipality vehicles and large forces stormed the Wadi al-Joz neighborhood in Jerusalem and began demolishing commercial facilities in the “industrial zone”, as part of the implementation of the “Silicon Valley” project.

Ma’an News Agency correspondent learned that municipal crews and vehicles, accompanied by special forces, police and officers, stormed the industrial area in Wadi al-Joz neighborhood, closed the main street in the area, then raided the shops, and a short while ago, the demolition and emptying of the shops began.

The demolitions come after years of struggle in the Israeli courts since 2020 to protect the shops and the land. All the facilities existed before the occupation, and their owners work in professions inherited from their grandfathers and fathers. It is also the only industrial zone in East Jerusalem, and is the first address for any breakdown or damage to a vehicle, truck or bus.

The Silicon Valley project is part of a five-year government initiative wo
rth 2.1 billion shekels. In June 2020, the occupation municipality announced a plan to build a ‘technology park inspired by Silicon Valley in the United States.’ The occupation government claims that the Silicon Valley ‘high-tech’ project is the largest in Jerusalem, aiming to reduce gaps and improve the economic situation of Jerusalemites, but it has a dark side that threatens to demolish dozens of historic industrial and commercial shops in the place. According to the project, 200,000 square meters will be allocated to high-tech companies, 50,000 to hotels, and another 50,000 to commercial spaces. Green spaces in the place will be increased, as will public transportation, and a new technical college for advanced technology will be established.

SourceMaan News Agency