Stop the distortion: What’s really happening in East Jerusalem

A recent article in the Times of Israel titled “With few shelters but plenty of roadblocks, East Jerusalem Arabs squeezed by war” paints a dramatically misleading picture of life in Jerusalem’s Arab neighborhoods during the current conflict. While it raises valid concerns about infrastructure and security access, the piece omits critical context, ignores structural realities, and ultimately, and seemingly intentionally, contributes more to inflaming narratives than informing readers.

Let us be clear: Jerusalem is under attack. All of it. From Gilo to Beit Hanina, every neighborhood is living under threat of ballistic missiles, drones, and rockets. The suggestion that East Jerusalem Arabs are “uniquely squeezed” disregards the shared trauma experienced across this city and dangerously distorts the policy conversation.

The reality about shelters

The article claims that East Jerusalem Arabs “have nowhere to run” during air raids. This is factually incorrect. There are functioning public shelters across East Jerusalem—in schools, municipal buildings, clinics, and other designated spaces. Are there enough? No. But to claim there are almost none is irresponsible journalism.

Moreover, the majority of Arab homes lack reinforced safe rooms (mamad) not because Israel denies them, but because a significant number of homes were built illegally, outside of city planning frameworks that require and enforce such safety features. And herein lies a crucial point the article completely ignores.

Legal planning exists — but is often refused

The article says: “Illegal building is rampant in Arab East Jerusalem, experts say, due to Israeli policies limiting permits…” We’re not sure who their “experts” are, but a cursory check of the number of requests for building permits submitted in the Arab sector followed by the number of permits granted, year by year, demonstrates a similar number to the Jewish sector, or, in fact, even a more favorable ratio.

Over the past decade, the city has made significant efforts to advance new master plans and outline plans for neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. These legal frameworks open the door for residents to build safely, securely, and with municipal support—including requirements for reinforced rooms and emergency shelters. Planning facilities exist to add on emergency shelters in existing homes for residents in all parts of Jerusalem who lack them. This has been sadly neglected in the Arab neighborhoods of eastern Jerusalem

Yet many residents choose not to build legally. The primary reason? Cost. Obtaining permits, following regulations, and connecting to utilities can be expensive. Instead, illegal construction persists, often without oversight or adherence to safety codes—leaving families vulnerable, not because of Israeli discrimination, but because of deliberate choices made by homeowners and developers. This derelict behavior exposes the tenants not only to security risks, but also to earthquakes and other natural disasters.

Blaming Israel for the consequences of illegal construction while ignoring the planning options now available is not just unfair—it’s dishonest.

The security context is broader than one community

Another accusation levied is that East Jerusalem is “sealed off” by checkpoints and roadblocks. Again, the facts tell a more complex story.

Security infrastructure in Jerusalem, including roadblocks and vehicle checks, has existed for years and is often activated in response to real threats. During times of war, these measures increase, as they do in every major city under threat. Arab residents are not uniquely targeted; these restrictions apply across the board and are reassessed constantly based on real-time risk.

A city with shared challenges

No one disputes that East Jerusalem faces real, long-term gaps in services and infrastructure. These are serious challenges that must be addressed through better planning, investment, and trust-building. But this war did not create those problems. It only magnifies their consequences.

It is time for a more honest conversation about Jerusalem. That includes acknowledging the availability of legal construction options that include safety infrastructure, and the city’s ongoing efforts to better integrate Arab neighborhoods into the urban and civic fabric. Credit needs to be given to the government and city, which have invested billions of shekels for the benefit of the Arab residents of eastern Jerusalem, despite the fact that they refuse to participate in the democratic process of municipal elections, which would give them representation and more achievements.

Portraying East Jerusalem Arabs solely as passive victims erases both the complexity of the situation and the shared responsibility for solutions.

At JCAP, we believe in advancing policies that are rooted in facts, not political theater. It’s time our media did the same.

This article was co-written by Ben Avrahami, Senior Researcher, JCAP (Jerusalem Center for Applied Policy)