Illegal Israeli Settlers Take Control of East Jerusalem Palestinian Home

Settlers take control of East Jerusalem home

Published today (updated) 03/11/2009 13:41

Jerusalem – Ma’an –

Illegal Israeli settlers arrogated the home of the Al-Kurd family in the Shaikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem on Tuesday, residents of the area said.

About 30 settlers were seen entering the house and throwing the family's furniture into the street. The settlers have refused to leave the building and the Israeli occupation government police blocked members of the Al-Kurd family from entering the area. Witnesses also reported heated arguments between police and Palestinian residents.

Residents said the settlers moved into the house in violation of an Israeli court order issued nine years ago when Jewish organizations put forward a claim that they in fact owned the property. Two other buildings belonging to the Al-Kurd and Al-Ghawi families were also targeted in the claim.

Locals also said the court had ordered no one to enter one section of the multi-unit building because it was built without a construction permit.

In early August Israeli police forced more than 50 members of two Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah, allowing settlers to move in. The evictions went forward despite near-universal condemnation from the international community, including Israel’s closest ally, the US.

Israel demolishes two Palestinian owned homes in Jerusalem, damages a third

Monday November 02, 2009 15:34 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News & Agencies

The Israeli occupation government municipality of Jerusalem demolished on Monday two Palestinian owned homes and damaged a third.

The center of Economic and Social Rights in Jerusalem announced that the houses were located near the old city and were the home of some 24 people.

The center added that police forces arrived with the municipality bulldozers and forced the two families out then demolished the two homes. An old lady was taken to hospital after she was attacked by police officers, witnesses told local media.

The witnesses added that while bulldozers are demolishing the two homes a third one next to them was damaged. The Israeli municipality says the homes lack the proper licensing.

Since Israel occupied the city of Jerusalem in 1967 it has rarely given Palestinian residents permissions to build homes. Meanwhile it continues to build Jewish settlements in and around Jerusalem, an act which is illegal according to international law.