Ir David Foundation

Ir David Foundation or City of David Foundation, commonly known as Elad [El'ad] (Hebrew: אלע"ד, an acronym for "אל עיר דוד", meaning "to the City of David"), is a Jerusalem-based^[1] Israeli settler association which aims to strengthen the Jewish connection to Jerusalem, and renew the Jewish community in the City of David, which is also part of the neighborhood of Silwan.^[2] The foundation works to achieve its goals by tourism, education, archaeological excavations and obtaining homes in the area to establish a Jewish presence.^[3]

The Ir David Foundation has been criticized for its archaeological practices and real estate activities. Critics argue that the foundation's archaeological excavations are often carried out with a political agenda, aiming to assert Jewish historical claims over the area at the expense of Palestinian residents. Elad has also been accused of acquiring properties in Silwan, in some cases leading to the eviction of Palestinian families.