Israel: tension in East Jerusalem over threat of expulsion of Palestinian families
Audio 01:29
A Palestinian protester in the hands of Israeli police in Sheikh Jarrah.
May 5, 2021. REUTERS - AMMAR AWAD
Text by: RFI Follow
6 mins
This Wednesday evening, May 5, 22 Palestinians were injured, and 3 arrested, in demonstrations in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem where six Palestinian families (around 30 people) may have to leave their homes.
They are refugees, driven from their homes in 1948, when the State of Israel was created, and settled in this neighborhood since 1956. It was following an agreement between the Jordanians and the UN agency. for the Palestinian refugees, who declared them owners of these houses.
But Israeli settlers have been reclaiming the land, asserting their right of return for years in Israeli courts, a right Palestinians do not have.
Every evening, Palestinian demonstrators gather in support of these families.
Publicity
Read more
With our special correspondent to Sheikh Jarrah
,
Alice Froussard
It is a threatened and strategic district of East Jerusalem, located just behind the Old City.
In this street of Sheikh Jarrah, there are these panels of support for families.
But also that foul smell, that of waste water with which Israeli forces spray Palestinian demonstrators every night.
"We have been fighting in court since 1972"
There are especially the inhabitants: Abu Elias, his leg broken by the Israeli army who broke into his home two days earlier, Nabil al Kurd, threatened again, while one of his houses has already been confiscated by the past, and Sami Jaounni, who fears the Supreme Court will ask them all to leave. “
I have lots of memories in the neighborhood. My father was born in this house. We have all the papers, all those that prove that UNRWA and the Jordanians gave us this house, yet we have been fighting in court since 1972 against the Israelis, for almost 60 years. And honestly, their laws are desperate to give all these houses to the settlers. It's getting very serious, I really hope they don't kick us out
. ".
Every evening, activists come to protect the families.
A movement of the Palestinians, for the Palestinians, because the hope of a favorable verdict is slim, explains Fayrouz Sharqawi, director of the organization Grassroots al Quds.
“
Ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Jerusalem is part of Israeli policy, so it would be naïve to believe that an Israeli judge who enforces Israeli law will protect these families and prevent evictions from their own homes.
"
The families of Sheikh Jarrah make it clear: this decision is political, And if the settlers take over their homes.
These evictions will continue, throughout the neighborhood.
For those who (still) need a reminder on what is happening in this district of Jerusalem.
#SaveSheikhJarrah https://t.co/mRiKSG5gn0
- Alice Coward (@alicefrsd) May 6, 2021
No deal was found
The Supreme Court is due to meet on May 6, before a final agreement on the expulsions expected very soon.
The court, however, on Sunday called on Palestinian families and settlers to find an agreement to avoid the eviction and to submit this agreement to it on Thursday.
Israeli settler organizations offered families to stay, but pay them rent, while Palestinians have all the property papers.
No agreement was therefore found.
This Thursday, therefore, the lawyer for the Palestinian families will inform the court of this non-agreement.
The court's verdict can then fall between 24 and 48 hours, and Sheikh Jarrah's families know it: “
We have to be ready.
But it can take longer than expected, and happen just after Eid, the end of Ramadan,
”they say.
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Israel
Palestinian territories
Society