Palestinian families threatened with deportation in East Jerusalem: verdict postponed

Audio 01:19

An Israeli policewoman speaks with Jewish settlers outside the house they seized from a Palestinian family in 2009, in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Israel annexed East Jerusalem, May 6, 2021. AFP - AHMAD GHARABLI

Text by: RFI Follow

4 min

It is a legal battle that has lasted for nearly 50 years.

It pits Palestinians in East Jerusalem against Israeli settlers, determined to seize their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

Four Palestinian families are threatened with eviction.

The case is in the hands of justice.

The Israeli Supreme Court was due to deliver its verdict this Thursday, May 6.

But she is now giving herself until next week to decide whether these Palestinian families should be evicted or not.

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With our correspondent in Jerusalem,

Sami Boukhelifa

In this neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, an Arab sector of annexed East Jerusalem, everyone marks their territory.

The street is named after Islam's third caliph, and a giant neon-blue Star of David sparkles on the roof of a house occupied by Israeli settlers.

“ 

I was five years old when my family moved here, 

” says Aref Hamed, a Palestinian who has lived here since 1956. “ 

I'm 70 now and these people want to kick us out of our homes and throw us on the streets like if nothing happened

, ”worries the old man, also president of the neighborhood committee.

► See also: 

Israel: tension in East Jerusalem in the face of the threat of expulsion of Palestinian families

In 1967 East Jerusalem was annexed by Israel.

And as early as 1972, religious settler associations claimed ownership of these Sheikh Jarrah houses.

A legal battle begins.

"

It seems to me that the judge in charge of our case is convinced that we are within our rights,"

explains Husni Abu Hussain, lawyer, representing Palestinian families before the Supreme Court.

She could have dismissed our cassation appeal.

But instead, she's granting us a hearing next Monday.

"

In the meantime, the residents of Sheikh Jarrah are seeking support from the international community.

They ask the European Union, in particular, to put pressure on Israel to prevent their expulsion.

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  • Jerusalem