Two Palestinian Families Get Evicted From their Homes

In East Jerusalem on Sunday morning Israeli Police and Boarder guards stormed the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and evicted two Palestinian families from their homes. A correspondent from Ma'an, a Palestinian news agency reported that Israeli forces first demolished the gates of the two houses. Then Israeli forces evicted them at gun point. The two Palestinian families were not allowed to take any of their furniture or belonging with them. The Israeli newspaper, Haaretz reported clashes during the evictions. Twenty Foreign solidarity activist were detained and journalist were prevented from entering the area. A protest tent that was near the two homes was also destroyed by Israeli forces.

A spokesman for the British consulate condemned the actions in a statement. Saeb Erekat, the chief negotiator for the Palestine Liberation Organization said in a statement, “Israel, the occupying power, once again has shown its commitment to the settler organizations by evicting more than 50 Palestinians, many of them children, from the houses where they have lived for more than 50 years. Tonight, while these new settlers from abroad will be accommodating themselves and their belongings in these Palestinian houses, 19 newly homeless children will have nowhere to sleep.” Erekat then added, “Israel is once again showing its utter failure to respect international law, the Road Map and the most basic moral and humanitarian principles.”

Robert Serry, The UN Special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process also condemned the evictions of the two Palestinian families and claimed they violated international law. He said in a statement, “I deplore today's totally unacceptable actions by Israel,” He suggested that Israel removed these Palestinians who were registered as refugees with the UN to make way for settlers who wanted control of their property. They are registered as refugees because they came to East Jerusalem after being driven out of their homes within the 1967 boarders during the 1948 to 1949 period when so many Palestinian were expelled from their homeland. Serry Noted, “They also contravene the united calls of the international community, including the Quartet, which in its recent statement urged the Government of Israel to refrain from provocative actions in East Jerusalem, including house demolitions and evictions”

The Israeli High Court ruled earlier last week that the two homes belonged to Jewish Citizens. It has also ruled in the past that east Jerusalem is part of Israel. Serry disagreed and stated, “The United Nations rejects Israel's claims that this is a matter for municipal authorities and domestic courts.” He also noted, “These actions heighten tensions and undermine international efforts to create conditions for fruitful negotiations to achieve peace.” He called on Israel to adhere to international law and its Road Map obligations.

Israel captured East Jerusalem during the 1967 war. The international community has never recognized Israel's claim on East Jerusalem and countries that maintain diplomatic ties with Israel generally open their embassies in Tel Aviv.