Tempers in Jerusalem are running high around the possible eviction of four Palestinian families. They should make way for Jewish settlers. In recent evenings there have been violent clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces. At least ten were injured. Several Palestinians were arrested.
The protests were prompted by an Israeli judge’s decision that the Palestinian residents of four houses in East Jerusalem must leave their homes. On Monday, the judge is expected to decide whether the families can still appeal against their eviction.
The case adds to tensions in and around Jerusalem over recent weeks had already been incurred.
The houses are the subject of a protracted political and legal battle. Palestinian residents say they have lived there since the 1950s, after they fled their towns and cities during the war surrounding the founding of Israel in 1948. But according to the Israeli authorities, the land on which the Palestinians live is in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. in East Jerusalem, not theirs. Before 1948 the land would have been owned by Jewish organizations.
Palestinians and human rights organizations oppose the judge’s decision to evict them, which they call discriminatory. “Palestinians who had properties in Israel before 1948 cannot claim their homes and land there,” said Hagit Ofran of Peace Now activist group. According to her, Israel should not use its laws to expel residents from occupied territory.
Israel sees Jerusalem as its undivided capital, but according to international law, East Jerusalem is an occupied Palestinian territory.
One of the families to make way is Elissar Abuhassna’s family. “This is my favorite place in the house,” says the 22-year-old in the courtyard of the house. She has lived in this place since her birth. “I used to play out here with our neighbors. But now we have Israeli settlers living next door.”
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