After the October 7 Hamas attacks, the subsequent Gaza war, and US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the momentum behind the project has accelerated sharply. (File Photo)In the densely populated neighbourhoods outside the walls of the Old City, Palestinians are being forced to demolish their own houses to make room for a Biblical theme park.The Israeli state and municipality have carried out the project for decades, but in the neighbourhood of al-Bustan, new reports are surfacing — residents are renting equipment to do the work themselves.On the site, a theme park called the King’s Garden, dedicated to King Solomon, is to be built. The park falls under an umbrella of archaeological projects focused on restoring Jerusalem’s Jewish past and centred on what is considered the City of David.In al-Bustan, a part of the Silwan district of East Jerusalem, more than 57 homes have been demolished in the last two years, and at least eight more are designated for demolition in the next few weeks. The Guardian reported that the Jerusalem municipality is charging some residents as much as $95,000 for its workers to carry out the demolition. Hence, some Palestinians are doing it themselves.The agency also reported that many Israeli archaeologists are of the view that a large number of the visible remains date to eras before and after King David’s reign.The project had been in the works for two decades, but was held back by Palestinian resistance, paired with international opposition and Israeli politics. But after the October 7 Hamas attacks, the subsequent Gaza war, and US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the momentum behind the project has accelerated sharply.International communities have raised concerns about the well-being of the Arab minorities in Israel. On Thursday, Israeli nationalists, in a state-sponsored march through Jerusalem to mark the anniversary of the city’s capture in the Arab-Israeli war, chanted “death to the Arabs” and “may your villages burn”.The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Jerusalem