Hundreds of units were approved in one Palestinian neighbourhood only last week, King said. The municipality did not provide data for the past five years on building plans for Palestinians.
The United Nations and rights groups have said Israel systematically restricts Palestinian development in Jerusalem by illegally expropriating large swathes of land for Israeli settlements, demolishing Palestinian-owned structures and introducing a complicated and costly permit application process.
According to a 2021 report by Ir Amim, an Israeli rights group advocating for an equitable Jerusalem, the municipality is only approving spot plans that do not correspond to the needs of the city's Palestinian population.
Since 1967, Israel, which regards Jerusalem as its indivisible capital, has confiscated more than 38% of East Jerusalem's territory to build tens of thousands of housing units for Israeli residents, said Oshrat Maimon of Ir Amim. Only 8.5% of the entire city was zoned for housing for Palestinians.
About 370,000 Palestinians live in Jerusalem, making up 38% of the city's population, according to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics. They hold residency status, which can be revoked if they leave for several years. Many rejected offers of Israeli citizenship after 1967, fearing it would undermine Palestinian claims to the area.
"We will remain, even if (Israel) razes the entire building," Fares, the bride's brother, said, wearing a suit and bow tie as he stood in front of his family's home, wires protruding from the destroyed walls, a Palestinian flag flying at the top.
"We want to prove to the occupation that despite our misfortunes, we are capable of rejoicing and we will remain rooted in our land."