16 sept 2017
Jewish settlers escorted by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on Saturday attacked a number of foreign solidarity activists during a sit-in held in protest at settlers' repeated attacks against Um al-Khair village southeast of al-Khalil city.
Coordinator of Popular Resistance against Segregation Wall and Settlement, Ratib al-Jabour, said that the fanatic settlers assaulted participants in the sit-in including seven foreign activists resulting in the injury of one of them who was taken to hospital.
Um al-Khair village has been subjected to settlers’ daily attacks since the beginning of September. The attacks are usually carried out at night and aim at forcing the inhabitants to leave their lands so that it would be annexed to Karmiel settlement which was illegally established over Palestinian lands.
Coordinator of Popular Resistance against Segregation Wall and Settlement, Ratib al-Jabour, said that the fanatic settlers assaulted participants in the sit-in including seven foreign activists resulting in the injury of one of them who was taken to hospital.
Um al-Khair village has been subjected to settlers’ daily attacks since the beginning of September. The attacks are usually carried out at night and aim at forcing the inhabitants to leave their lands so that it would be annexed to Karmiel settlement which was illegally established over Palestinian lands.
15 sept 2017
A horde of Jewish settlers on Thursday evening sabotaged a Palestinian olive grove in Kafr Qalil town, south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank.
A local resident reported that settlers from the illegal settlement of Har Brakha destroyed fruitful olive trees belonging to a farmer in al-Mantara area of the town.
He said that the settlers used a chainsaw to cut down several olive trees in the grove.
A local resident reported that settlers from the illegal settlement of Har Brakha destroyed fruitful olive trees belonging to a farmer in al-Mantara area of the town.
He said that the settlers used a chainsaw to cut down several olive trees in the grove.
14 sept 2017
A group of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds near Khirbat al-Hamma in the northern Jordan Valley on Thursday.
The Palestinian activist, Aref Daraghmeh, told WAFA news agency that the Israeli settlers chased shepherds in the nearby sheep pastures.
Israeli settlers' attacks in the Jordan Valley go in line with Israeli systematic policy that aims at pressuring citizens to evacuate the region since it is considered a vital and strategic region on the military and agricultural levels, he added.
The Palestinian activist, Aref Daraghmeh, told WAFA news agency that the Israeli settlers chased shepherds in the nearby sheep pastures.
Israeli settlers' attacks in the Jordan Valley go in line with Israeli systematic policy that aims at pressuring citizens to evacuate the region since it is considered a vital and strategic region on the military and agricultural levels, he added.
Father Atallah Hanna, Archbishop of the Palestinian Orthodox Church in Occupied Jerusalem, was exposed last Tuesday evening to a spitting and verbal attack by Jewish students in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem.
A statement has been released on his official Facebook page deploring the assault and settlers’ ongoing offensive and aggressive practices against the Christian clergy in Jerusalem.
Father Hanna was assaulted after he left the Church of the Flagellation in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City on his way to the Patriarchate, according to the statement.
He was spit on and verbally attacked by male and female students of a Jewish religious school in the Old City.
“They were more than 20 people, and they started spitting first and then cursing. They shouted vulgar remarks at the Reverend Archbishop and insulted the Holy Cross and the Christian faith,” the statement said.
“Some Palestinian young men in the area provided protection for the Archbishop and prevented the fanatics from physically assaulting him,” the statement added.
For his part, Father Hanna on Wednesday denounced what had happened with him in the Old City, stressing that “no power in the world can uproot the Palestinians from their holy land.”
“Such blind extremism and hatred will only increase our ties with our holy city, which is our spiritual and national capital and an incubator for our most important holy sites,” he said.
A statement has been released on his official Facebook page deploring the assault and settlers’ ongoing offensive and aggressive practices against the Christian clergy in Jerusalem.
Father Hanna was assaulted after he left the Church of the Flagellation in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City on his way to the Patriarchate, according to the statement.
He was spit on and verbally attacked by male and female students of a Jewish religious school in the Old City.
“They were more than 20 people, and they started spitting first and then cursing. They shouted vulgar remarks at the Reverend Archbishop and insulted the Holy Cross and the Christian faith,” the statement said.
“Some Palestinian young men in the area provided protection for the Archbishop and prevented the fanatics from physically assaulting him,” the statement added.
For his part, Father Hanna on Wednesday denounced what had happened with him in the Old City, stressing that “no power in the world can uproot the Palestinians from their holy land.”
“Such blind extremism and hatred will only increase our ties with our holy city, which is our spiritual and national capital and an incubator for our most important holy sites,” he said.
Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed on Thursday morning al-Aqsa Mosque—the third holiest site in Islam—in Occupied Jerusalem.
88 Israeli settlers, escorted by policemen, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque as part of the four-hour morning break-in shift and carried out a round of sacrilegious tours.
At the same time, the peaceful Muslim worshipers have been subjected to tough crackdowns and restrictions by the Israeli police near the main entrances to the site.
Several worshipers have been searched and dozens more have had their IDs seized while attempting to enter al-Aqsa to perform their daily prayers.
3,647 Israelis stormed al-Aqsa Mosque in August, among them 20 intelligence officers and 14 cops.
88 Israeli settlers, escorted by policemen, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque as part of the four-hour morning break-in shift and carried out a round of sacrilegious tours.
At the same time, the peaceful Muslim worshipers have been subjected to tough crackdowns and restrictions by the Israeli police near the main entrances to the site.
Several worshipers have been searched and dozens more have had their IDs seized while attempting to enter al-Aqsa to perform their daily prayers.
3,647 Israelis stormed al-Aqsa Mosque in August, among them 20 intelligence officers and 14 cops.
13 sept 2017
Extremist Jewish settlers Tuesday night cut down dozens of olive trees in Bourin town, south of Nablus city.
The official in charge with the settlement file in the northern West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, said that some fanatic settlers used chainsaws to cut down over 27 trees owned by a Palestinian woman, Ratiba Qadous, near the entrance to Yitzhar settlement.
Palestinians are banned from accessing the area where the settlers’ attack took place for being close to the illegal settlement that was established over their lands. It caught a great fire last June that ate 800 of Palestinian olive trees.
The official in charge with the settlement file in the northern West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, said that some fanatic settlers used chainsaws to cut down over 27 trees owned by a Palestinian woman, Ratiba Qadous, near the entrance to Yitzhar settlement.
Palestinians are banned from accessing the area where the settlers’ attack took place for being close to the illegal settlement that was established over their lands. It caught a great fire last June that ate 800 of Palestinian olive trees.
Dozens of Israeli settlers have once again stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound early on Wednesday via the Israeli-controlled al-Magaribeh Gate.
According to Quds Press, 96 settlers forced their way into the holy site under tight protection of several groups of Israeli soldiers and special police forces.
Seven officials of Israeli Intelligence Service have also stormed the holy shrine early today, the sources added.
In recent months, groups of extremist Jewish settlers, often accompanied by Israeli forces, have repeatedly forced their way into al-Aqsa Mosque.
The frequent violations anger Palestinian Muslims and occasionally lead to violent confrontations.
According to Quds Press, 96 settlers forced their way into the holy site under tight protection of several groups of Israeli soldiers and special police forces.
Seven officials of Israeli Intelligence Service have also stormed the holy shrine early today, the sources added.
In recent months, groups of extremist Jewish settlers, often accompanied by Israeli forces, have repeatedly forced their way into al-Aqsa Mosque.
The frequent violations anger Palestinian Muslims and occasionally lead to violent confrontations.
12 sept 2017
57 Jewish settlers stormed the plazas of al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem from the Israeli-controlled Magharebah gate under tightened security measures by Israeli policemen who escorted settlers during the incursion.
Quds Press reported that the settlers performed Talmudic rituals at al-Silsila gate from which they exited the holy place after provoking Muslim worshipers.
Israeli police rounded up an employee of the Islamic Waqf renovation committee, Mahmoud Anati, right from the courtyards of the holy shrine. He was taken to be questioned just one day after the arrest of another colleague, Anas al-Dabagh, who was banned from entering al-Aqsa Mosque for 15 days.
Quds Press reported that the settlers performed Talmudic rituals at al-Silsila gate from which they exited the holy place after provoking Muslim worshipers.
Israeli police rounded up an employee of the Islamic Waqf renovation committee, Mahmoud Anati, right from the courtyards of the holy shrine. He was taken to be questioned just one day after the arrest of another colleague, Anas al-Dabagh, who was banned from entering al-Aqsa Mosque for 15 days.
Jewish settlers on Monday evening set up a barbed wire fence on a vast tract of Palestinian-owned land in Masafer Yatta area, south of al-Khalil city in the occupied West Bank.
Anti-settlement activist Rateb al-Jabur affirmed that soldiers helped settlers to deploy barbed wire along a large plot of land they annexed in Umm al-Khair area of Masafer Yatta.
Jabur said that the seized area amounts to more than 200 dunums of land, belonging to the families of Hadhalin, Abu Humaid and Awad.
He noted that there is an Israeli court verdict prohibiting the Palestinian and Israeli sides from carrying out any activity on that land.
He described this new annexation of Palestinian land in Masafer Yatta as part of ongoing Israeli efforts to expand its settlements in the West Bank.
Anti-settlement activist Rateb al-Jabur affirmed that soldiers helped settlers to deploy barbed wire along a large plot of land they annexed in Umm al-Khair area of Masafer Yatta.
Jabur said that the seized area amounts to more than 200 dunums of land, belonging to the families of Hadhalin, Abu Humaid and Awad.
He noted that there is an Israeli court verdict prohibiting the Palestinian and Israeli sides from carrying out any activity on that land.
He described this new annexation of Palestinian land in Masafer Yatta as part of ongoing Israeli efforts to expand its settlements in the West Bank.
11 sept 2017
An Israeli court indicted a teenage Israeli settler, this Sunday, for allegedly attacking a Palestinian man in Jerusalem, over an Israeli woman the settler thought was in a relationship with the Palestinian, Israeli news daily Haaretz reported, according to Ma’an.
The settler, who lives in the illegal Modiin Illit settlement, in the occupied West Bank, was identified as 18-year-old Yehiel Weisenstern. He was charged by a Jerusalem district court with aggravated assault and committing a racially-motivated hate crime.
According to Haaretz, the indictment said that Weisenstern saw the victim, identified only by his first name Mohammed, walking with a female Jewish friend who works with him in the Mahane Yehuda market area of downtown Jerusalem.
Weisenstern and two friends, who Haaretz said were unknown to authorities, allegedly became aggressive after Mohammed turned down their request for a cigarette.
The suspect and two friends began to follow Mohammed and his female friend, who the three Israeli men inquired about with regard to her Jewish ethnicity. According to the indictment, they then asked Mohammed “why he was going out with a Jew.”
According to Haaretz, when Mohammed tried to explain that he and the woman worked together, the suspect or one of his friends allegedly took out a knife from his pocket and said to him: “You’re dating Jewish girls. We will **** you today!”
One of the three Israeli men then began punching Mohammed, who tried to flee. Mohammed eventually stopped running, at which point “the suspect and the others surrounded the complainant and started cursing him, telling him he wouldn’t be allowed to work in the market anymore and that they would screw him,” Haaretz additionally quoted the indictment as saying.
Weisenstern and his friends then began punching and kicking Mohammed until a passerby separated them. Mohammed reportedly suffered from injuries to his head, back, stomach and legs.
The suspect’s lawyer said Weisenstern was “a youth without a criminal past living under difficult circumstances,” claiming that Weisenstern was actually attacked by Mohammed, and that it was Mohammed who started the altercation, and that Weisenstern did not act out of racial or nationalist motivations.
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis living in Jewish-only settlements across occupied the West Bank, in violation of international law, often commit attacks Palestinians, with activists and rights groups having long accused Israel of fostering a “culture of impunity” for Israeli settlers and soldiers who commit such acts.
The settler, who lives in the illegal Modiin Illit settlement, in the occupied West Bank, was identified as 18-year-old Yehiel Weisenstern. He was charged by a Jerusalem district court with aggravated assault and committing a racially-motivated hate crime.
According to Haaretz, the indictment said that Weisenstern saw the victim, identified only by his first name Mohammed, walking with a female Jewish friend who works with him in the Mahane Yehuda market area of downtown Jerusalem.
Weisenstern and two friends, who Haaretz said were unknown to authorities, allegedly became aggressive after Mohammed turned down their request for a cigarette.
The suspect and two friends began to follow Mohammed and his female friend, who the three Israeli men inquired about with regard to her Jewish ethnicity. According to the indictment, they then asked Mohammed “why he was going out with a Jew.”
According to Haaretz, when Mohammed tried to explain that he and the woman worked together, the suspect or one of his friends allegedly took out a knife from his pocket and said to him: “You’re dating Jewish girls. We will **** you today!”
One of the three Israeli men then began punching Mohammed, who tried to flee. Mohammed eventually stopped running, at which point “the suspect and the others surrounded the complainant and started cursing him, telling him he wouldn’t be allowed to work in the market anymore and that they would screw him,” Haaretz additionally quoted the indictment as saying.
Weisenstern and his friends then began punching and kicking Mohammed until a passerby separated them. Mohammed reportedly suffered from injuries to his head, back, stomach and legs.
The suspect’s lawyer said Weisenstern was “a youth without a criminal past living under difficult circumstances,” claiming that Weisenstern was actually attacked by Mohammed, and that it was Mohammed who started the altercation, and that Weisenstern did not act out of racial or nationalist motivations.
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis living in Jewish-only settlements across occupied the West Bank, in violation of international law, often commit attacks Palestinians, with activists and rights groups having long accused Israel of fostering a “culture of impunity” for Israeli settlers and soldiers who commit such acts.
Israeli settlers attacked, on Monday, the newly rebuilt Jeb al-Theeb elementary school, near Bethlehem in the West Bank, but were stopped by local Palestinians, according to Hassan Breijiyeh, from the Committee Against Settlements in Bethlehem.
He said Palestinians confronted more than 30 Israeli settlers who came to the school with an intention to harm the students and pushed them back.
The school, which serves 64 students from nearby Palestinian communities in grades one to four, was rebuilt on Friday after it was demolished by the Israeli army in late August under the pretext it was built without a permit.
According to WAFA, the Palestinians were able to obtain a court order preventing the army from demolishing the new school, at least temporarily.
The Israeli demolition of the school has prompted strong international condemnation.
He said Palestinians confronted more than 30 Israeli settlers who came to the school with an intention to harm the students and pushed them back.
The school, which serves 64 students from nearby Palestinian communities in grades one to four, was rebuilt on Friday after it was demolished by the Israeli army in late August under the pretext it was built without a permit.
According to WAFA, the Palestinians were able to obtain a court order preventing the army from demolishing the new school, at least temporarily.
The Israeli demolition of the school has prompted strong international condemnation.
A group of Israeli settlers stormed Monday morning al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Israeli-occupied Jerusalem amid heavy police protection.
Local sources affirmed that 36 settlers forced their way into the holy site through al-Magharibah Gate under tight protection of several groups of Israeli soldiers and special police forces.
The settlers carried out provocative tours in various parts of the Mosque's yards in total provocation to Palestinian worshipers.
Israeli police forces intensified since the morning hours their presence throughout the holy shrine to provide protection for the settlers’ break-in.
Local sources affirmed that 36 settlers forced their way into the holy site through al-Magharibah Gate under tight protection of several groups of Israeli soldiers and special police forces.
The settlers carried out provocative tours in various parts of the Mosque's yards in total provocation to Palestinian worshipers.
Israeli police forces intensified since the morning hours their presence throughout the holy shrine to provide protection for the settlers’ break-in.
10 sept 2017
Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed on Sunday morning al-Aqsa Mosque—the third holiest site in Islam—via the Maghareba Gate.
98 Israeli settlers, escorted by policemen, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque as part of the morning break-in shift and carried out a round of sacrilegious tours. 40 Israeli police officers also defiled the site.
At the same time, the peaceful Muslim worshipers have been subjected to tough crackdowns and restrictions by the Israeli police near the main entrances to the site.
Several worshipers have been searched and dozens more have had their IDs seized while attempting to enter al-Aqsa to perform their daily prayers.
98 Israeli settlers, escorted by policemen, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque as part of the morning break-in shift and carried out a round of sacrilegious tours. 40 Israeli police officers also defiled the site.
At the same time, the peaceful Muslim worshipers have been subjected to tough crackdowns and restrictions by the Israeli police near the main entrances to the site.
Several worshipers have been searched and dozens more have had their IDs seized while attempting to enter al-Aqsa to perform their daily prayers.
An Palestinian woman was injured, on Saturday evening, after a number of extremist Israeli colonists hurled stones at her as she was sitting on her balcony, in the Old City of Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank.
Medical sources said the woman, Hala Abu Rajab, 55, suffered wounds to her face, and was rushed to the Hebron governmental hospital.
Her son, Monatser, said she was just sitting on her balcony, when the colonists started hurling stones at her, in addition to shouting insults and threats, causing anxiety attacks, especially the terrorized children, in the attacked homes.
The attacked home is located near Abu ar-Reesh Israeli military roadblock, leading to the Ibrahimi Mosque; the soldiers did not attempt to intervene.
Palestinian woman injured in settlers’ attack on house in al-Khalil
An elderly woman on Saturday evening suffered injuries when extremist Jewish settlers hurled stones at her in the Old City of al-Khalil, south of the West Bank.
Her son, Muntaser al-Tamimi, told WAFA News Agency that settlers threw stones at his 55-year-old mother, Hala Abu Rajab, as she was on the balcony of her house and wounded her in the face.
Tamimi said his mother was rushed to al-Khalil Hospital for medical assistance.
He affirmed that hundreds of settlers, some of them armed, came from nearby outposts and settlements in al-Khalil and rallied outside their house in the Old City.
He added that the settlers acted like thugs and shouted death threats and offensive remarks at his relatives inside the house, which caused extreme panic among women and children.
The house is located near the Israeli military roadblock known locally as Abul-Rish, which leads to the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City of al-Khalil.
Medical sources said the woman, Hala Abu Rajab, 55, suffered wounds to her face, and was rushed to the Hebron governmental hospital.
Her son, Monatser, said she was just sitting on her balcony, when the colonists started hurling stones at her, in addition to shouting insults and threats, causing anxiety attacks, especially the terrorized children, in the attacked homes.
The attacked home is located near Abu ar-Reesh Israeli military roadblock, leading to the Ibrahimi Mosque; the soldiers did not attempt to intervene.
Palestinian woman injured in settlers’ attack on house in al-Khalil
An elderly woman on Saturday evening suffered injuries when extremist Jewish settlers hurled stones at her in the Old City of al-Khalil, south of the West Bank.
Her son, Muntaser al-Tamimi, told WAFA News Agency that settlers threw stones at his 55-year-old mother, Hala Abu Rajab, as she was on the balcony of her house and wounded her in the face.
Tamimi said his mother was rushed to al-Khalil Hospital for medical assistance.
He affirmed that hundreds of settlers, some of them armed, came from nearby outposts and settlements in al-Khalil and rallied outside their house in the Old City.
He added that the settlers acted like thugs and shouted death threats and offensive remarks at his relatives inside the house, which caused extreme panic among women and children.
The house is located near the Israeli military roadblock known locally as Abul-Rish, which leads to the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City of al-Khalil.
9 sept 2017
According to Israeli media, over 200 Israelis marched from central Jerusalem to the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, Friday, to protest the eviction of a Palestinian family from their homes. The demonstrators marched on West Jerusalem’s thoroughfare until they crossed over into the Palestinian neighborhood, where they were met by dozens of local Palestinian protesters.
On Friday, police took two residents of Sheikh Jarrah, who marched in the direction of the Israelis, into custody — one for waving a Palestinian flag, and the other — a minor — following settler complaints to the police. The minor was only detained for a short period of time, although his mother collapsed and had to be taken to the hospital upon his detention. Meanwhile, during the Israeli march toward Sheikh Jarrah, a passerby threw eggs at the demonstrators. Among the marchers were Joint List head Ayman Odeh and Yousef Jabareen, also of the Joint List, 972mag reported.
After the marchers arrived in the neighborhood, one of the Israeli protesters climbed the Shamasna family home and removed the Israeli flag hung by settlers who had commandeered the house. In response, the settlers attacked some of the protesters, throwing stones and pepper spraying them. Two Israeli marchers were arrested.
Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem performed Friday prayers in front of the Shamasna family home, in an act of protest against the family’s forced eviction.
Members of the Shamasna family participated in the prayers held outside their home, along with Palestinian Mayor of Jerusalem Adnan al-Husayni, Fatah’s Jerusalem Secretary Shadi Mtour, Fateh official Hattem Abd al-Qader, and other religious and national figures.
Sheikh Abdullah Alqam, who gave Friday’s Khutbah — Islamic sermon — condemned the expulsion of the Shamasna family from their home and said that the Israeli legal system was “biased” towards Israeli settlers.
Alqam said that, despite Israel’s relentless attempts to displace Palestinians from Jerusalem, Jerusalemites were determined to defend their rights and existence in the city.
Mohammed Shamasna, 45, and his son Dirar, 23, were released from Israeli jail on Thursday after being detained during the settler-driven eviction on Tuesday. While earlier reports noted that no release conditions were placed on the two, locals said on Friday that Mohammed was banned from entering Sheikh Jarrah for two weeks. It was unclear if this also applied to Dirar.
The Shamasna family was the latest Palestinian family to be evicted from the neighborhood since 2009 under an Israeli law that allows Jewish Israelis to claim ownership over properties that had once been owned by Jews before 1948, when thousands fled East Jerusalem during the Arab-Israeli war.
However, this law does not extend to Palestinians, hundreds of thousands of whom were displaced from their lands and homes in present-day Israel in 1948.
Sheikh Jarrah has become a central target for Jewish ownership claims, as the neighborhood was allegedly once the site of a 19th century Jewish community.
In 2009, the Um Kamel al-Kurd, Ghawi, and Hanoun families were completely evicted from their homes, while Israeli settlers partially took over the al-Kurd family home, who still live side-by-side years later. More than 60 Palestinians were displaced during the wave of evictions in 2009.
On Sunday, six more Palestinian families were handed eviction notices, ordering them to leave their homes within 30 days owing to Israeli settler claims on their properties.
The European Union Representative and the EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah released a joint statement on Friday condemning the eviction in Sheikh Jarrah.
“Further settlement plans foreseeing large scale construction and evictions in Sheikh Jarrah are being moved forward by the planning authorities. The EU has repeatedly called on the Israeli authorities to reconsider these decisions,” the statement read.
The statement reiterated the EU’s stance on the illegality of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory and “its strong opposition to Israel’s settlement policy and actions taken in this context, including evictions and demolitions.”
“Settlement activity in East Jerusalem seriously jeopardizes the possibility of Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both States,” the statement added.
Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Scott Anderson said in the statement on Wednesday that he was “appalled at the resumption of forced evictions in Sheikh Jarrah and particularly worried about the humanitarian impact on this refugee family (Shamasna).”
“Palestine refugees, who have already endured multiple episodes of displacement, should not be subjected to forced evictions,” Anderson said.
According to UN documentation, 180 Palestinian families — comprising of 818 individuals, 372 of whom are children — are at risk of forcible displacement in East Jerusalem owing to settler-driven evictions. UNRWA noted that in Sheikh Jarrah, 60 percent of those at risk of displacement are Palestinian refugees.
Israeli rights group Ir Amim has noted that Israeli settler plans have focused on taking control of the entire neighborhood and then demolishing it to establish a massive Jewish settlement there.
The settlement would be called Shimon HaTzadik, named after the tomb of the biblical figure Simeon the Just, which is believed by Jews to be located in the neighborhood, and which the 19th century Jewish community had also allegedly once been called.
On Friday, police took two residents of Sheikh Jarrah, who marched in the direction of the Israelis, into custody — one for waving a Palestinian flag, and the other — a minor — following settler complaints to the police. The minor was only detained for a short period of time, although his mother collapsed and had to be taken to the hospital upon his detention. Meanwhile, during the Israeli march toward Sheikh Jarrah, a passerby threw eggs at the demonstrators. Among the marchers were Joint List head Ayman Odeh and Yousef Jabareen, also of the Joint List, 972mag reported.
After the marchers arrived in the neighborhood, one of the Israeli protesters climbed the Shamasna family home and removed the Israeli flag hung by settlers who had commandeered the house. In response, the settlers attacked some of the protesters, throwing stones and pepper spraying them. Two Israeli marchers were arrested.
Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem performed Friday prayers in front of the Shamasna family home, in an act of protest against the family’s forced eviction.
Members of the Shamasna family participated in the prayers held outside their home, along with Palestinian Mayor of Jerusalem Adnan al-Husayni, Fatah’s Jerusalem Secretary Shadi Mtour, Fateh official Hattem Abd al-Qader, and other religious and national figures.
Sheikh Abdullah Alqam, who gave Friday’s Khutbah — Islamic sermon — condemned the expulsion of the Shamasna family from their home and said that the Israeli legal system was “biased” towards Israeli settlers.
Alqam said that, despite Israel’s relentless attempts to displace Palestinians from Jerusalem, Jerusalemites were determined to defend their rights and existence in the city.
Mohammed Shamasna, 45, and his son Dirar, 23, were released from Israeli jail on Thursday after being detained during the settler-driven eviction on Tuesday. While earlier reports noted that no release conditions were placed on the two, locals said on Friday that Mohammed was banned from entering Sheikh Jarrah for two weeks. It was unclear if this also applied to Dirar.
The Shamasna family was the latest Palestinian family to be evicted from the neighborhood since 2009 under an Israeli law that allows Jewish Israelis to claim ownership over properties that had once been owned by Jews before 1948, when thousands fled East Jerusalem during the Arab-Israeli war.
However, this law does not extend to Palestinians, hundreds of thousands of whom were displaced from their lands and homes in present-day Israel in 1948.
Sheikh Jarrah has become a central target for Jewish ownership claims, as the neighborhood was allegedly once the site of a 19th century Jewish community.
In 2009, the Um Kamel al-Kurd, Ghawi, and Hanoun families were completely evicted from their homes, while Israeli settlers partially took over the al-Kurd family home, who still live side-by-side years later. More than 60 Palestinians were displaced during the wave of evictions in 2009.
On Sunday, six more Palestinian families were handed eviction notices, ordering them to leave their homes within 30 days owing to Israeli settler claims on their properties.
The European Union Representative and the EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah released a joint statement on Friday condemning the eviction in Sheikh Jarrah.
“Further settlement plans foreseeing large scale construction and evictions in Sheikh Jarrah are being moved forward by the planning authorities. The EU has repeatedly called on the Israeli authorities to reconsider these decisions,” the statement read.
The statement reiterated the EU’s stance on the illegality of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory and “its strong opposition to Israel’s settlement policy and actions taken in this context, including evictions and demolitions.”
“Settlement activity in East Jerusalem seriously jeopardizes the possibility of Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both States,” the statement added.
Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Scott Anderson said in the statement on Wednesday that he was “appalled at the resumption of forced evictions in Sheikh Jarrah and particularly worried about the humanitarian impact on this refugee family (Shamasna).”
“Palestine refugees, who have already endured multiple episodes of displacement, should not be subjected to forced evictions,” Anderson said.
According to UN documentation, 180 Palestinian families — comprising of 818 individuals, 372 of whom are children — are at risk of forcible displacement in East Jerusalem owing to settler-driven evictions. UNRWA noted that in Sheikh Jarrah, 60 percent of those at risk of displacement are Palestinian refugees.
Israeli rights group Ir Amim has noted that Israeli settler plans have focused on taking control of the entire neighborhood and then demolishing it to establish a massive Jewish settlement there.
The settlement would be called Shimon HaTzadik, named after the tomb of the biblical figure Simeon the Just, which is believed by Jews to be located in the neighborhood, and which the 19th century Jewish community had also allegedly once been called.