Today, Walking Tour in Silwan; Friday, Protest in Sheikh Jarrah

Tomorrow, Friday, July 30, a mass demonstration will be held in Sheikh Jarrah in occupied East Jerusalem at 4.00pm, to protest the eviction of Palestinian families from their homes. Several peace and human rights movements, among them Hadash and Peace Now are sponsoring the protest.

The demonstration coincides with a critical moment in the legal struggle over the neighborhood, and is taking place just three days before a crucial Supreme Court hearing, set for Monday, August 2, during which there is liable to be a decision about the immediate eviction of four families. According to organizers, “Now is the time to raise a unified and clear voice: No to this brutal injustice being carried out under the cover of the law and the legal system.”

Demonstrators protest the pending eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah in occupied East Jerusalem, June 11, 2021. The large banner reads "NO to the eviction of families."

Demonstrators protest the pending eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah in occupied East Jerusalem, June 11, 2021. The large banner reads “NO to the eviction of families.” (Photo: Free Jerusalem)

Settler organizations, supported by the Israeli government, are attempting to evict hundreds of Palestinian families from their homes in occupied East Jerusalem, specifically in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan. In the coming months, the threat of eviction looms over eight families in Sheikh Jarrah, numbering 90 individuals, including 27 children. Dozens of additional families are also slated for evictions.

Hadash activists have said, “The attempt to push Palestinian families out of their homes in East Jerusalem is unjust. The truth must be stated out loud: This is not a private dispute over real-estate between two equal parties, but an organized move with full support of the Israeli government, which seeks to dispossess hundreds of Palestinians. In their stead, wealthy settler associations are trying to gain control of East Jerusalem and build settlements in its heart. This is the appropriate time and place to protest the broad consequences of the government-backed attempt to ethnically cleanse East Jerusalem.”

Today, Thursday, English Language Tour in Silwan

Today, Thursday, July 29, an English language walking tour will be held in the occupied East Jerusalem town of Silwan led by Zuhair al-Rajabi, a community leader from its Batan al-Hawa neighborhood. Organizers describe the tour as follows: “As we walk, we will learn about the history, systems of occupation, stories of the community’s resistance to forced demolitions and displacement. We will learn about the ‘City of David’ settlement site, including plans for its expansion into the al-Bustan area; we will hear about Palestinian organizing to stop it and will see firsthand how these Palestinian struggles are interconnected. A good part of the tour will focus on the Batan al-Hawa community, the daily reality of Israeli occupation there, and the community’s resilience in the face of state-sponsored settlement.”

Participants will meet at 5 pm at the entrance to the Silwan neighborhood at the Maghrebi/Dung gate just outside Jerusalem Old City. The tour will finish at 8 pm. The walking tour is led by community leaders of Batan Al-Hawa with the solidarity and support of “All That’s Left: Anti-Occupation Collective,” “This is Not an Ulpan,” and Rabbis for Human Rights.

The Tour in Silwan on Facebook (English): https://www.facebook.com/events/216619140373503

The protest in Sheikh Jarrah on Facebook (Hebrew, Arabic and English):
https://www.facebook.com/events/1012832222811739