Sheikh Jarrah is a neighborhood located in East Jerusalem that is under threat by Israeli settlers. In 1956, 28 Palestinian refugee families were given homes in this area in Jerusalem (then under Jordanian rule), agreeing to give up their status as refugees. Since the 1970's, a group of Sephardic Jews has been trying to take over this area. This settlement activity has resulted in the evictions of four families in the past year.
Normally, these evicitions are forced and unexpected. The home of the Al-Hanun family evicted last November was stormed by settlers in the middle of the night. They and many of their belongings were thrown out onto the streets. A family of settlers then moved in and the Al-Hanun was forced to sleep outside on their lawn. This was the fourth eviction that happened in a years time.
Police gather to keep protestors from entering disputed territory.
After the eviction of the Al-Hanun family, weekly protests began. These protests are organized by a coalition of Israeli Peace Activist organizations. In the beginning, each protest began with a march from West Jerusalem to the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. For many weeks, the protestors were met with force by police and many were arrested. At times over 700 people, mostly Israelis have been present at these weekly protests.
The leaders of the group play rhythms and chants.
Last week, when I went, the protest was relatively calm. The Israeli court determined that these protests are legal, so police can no longer arrest the protestors. Activits are no longer allowed near the home of the settlers, but gather in a small park near the Sheikh Jarrah area.
Settlements in Sheikh Jarrah and other areas of East Jerusalem undermine diplomatic efforts to come to a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. The Israeli government claims that they are interested in discussing peace, but continues to create facts on the ground that inhibit a lasting peace that will be agreed to on both sides. Settlements in East Jerusalem seek to increase the Jewish presence in this side of Jerusalem, which hinders a final status solution in Jerusalem which divides it so that it the capital for both nations in a Two-State solution.
This sign is so true. Only will Israel be completely safe and at peace, if Palestine is free from oppression.
Protesting settler violence and extremism on the Israeli side that moves Israel and Palestine further away from a peaceful resolution.
Early that day, I attended the weekly Women in Black demonstration, a group of Israeli women that meet every week to protest the occupation. Some weeks I have gone to this demonstration and received no reaction to the protest. This week, there were many people who shouted, made angry faces, thumbs down, shook their fists, and flicked us off. I asked my roommate, who is Jewish and familiar with Israeli society, why we received these angry reactions. Was it because they thought we were lying or because they didn't like to be reminded about the bad things their government is doing about which they are trying to forget? She said it was neither of these. It was because people thought anybody who protested the occupation are anti-Patriotic and against the government of Israel.
A large crowd has gathered and many people hold up signs protesting the occupation and violence in Sheikh Jarrah.
While some Israeli activists are anarchists, many protest against the occupation and settler violence as a way to be patriotic. They believe that for the security of Israel, the occupation needs to end, the government needs to stop oppressing the Palestinian people. Many want their country to live up to its words and be a state of justice, rather than oppression and war.
Police blocked off the road to the disputed houses. Settlers gather nearby.
It was very encouraging for me to see so many Israelis gathered to speak out against the injustices of their government. They may have been their for many reasons, but it was great to see that some seek to do something against the actions with which they don't agree, instead of staying silent and trying to forget or ignore. I again asked my roommate why there was such a good turnout for this protest, as it was one of the largest amounts of people I have seen at a protest since I have been here. She said it was because Sheikh Jarrah was one of the facts that finally began to wake Israelis up. The normal excuse of security cannot be used here. Evicting families out of their homes in the middle of the night in an area that is not even behind the wall in the West Bank cannot be hidden under the guise of security.
For more information on Sheikh Jarrah, read these articles:
Eviction in Sheikh Jarrah
Why are Israelis demonstrating in Sheikh Jarrah?
The legal battle over Palestinian ownership in Sheikh Jarrah
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