Arabs, leftists protest in Beit Jarrah

Activists protest eviction of Arabs from east J'lem homes by Jewish owners bearing court orders

Ronen Medzini

Published: 11.27.09, 18:54 / Israel News

Around 70 demonstrators – residents of east Jerusalem and left-wing activists – gathered in the center of the capital city Friday in order to protest a court order granting legal rights over homes in Sheikh Jarrah to their Jewish owners.

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Police and rescue forces were alerted to the scene, but no violent incidents were reported.

The protestors beat on drums and called, "Thieves, thieves, get out of the homes", and "Release Beit Jarrah".

Nasser Ghawe, who currently resides in a protest tent outside of the home he once lived in, told Ynet he had been evicted in August. "I am here hoping to go back," he said. "This protest is heartwarming. It shows not all Jews are bad; there are those who care about the Arabs."

Also present at the protest was an ultra-Orthodox man, Nahum Novertze, who said he had heard about it through Facebook. Novertze held a sign saying, "Don't evict cousins".

"When settlements were evacuated in Gush Katif (settlers) were given caravans and hotel stays until they could obtain new residences. Here they throw Arabs out into the rain without providing substitutes. This is

discrimination. They have lived here for 43 years and now they are being thrown out on the street like dogs," he said.

Sheikh Jarrah recently came under national scrutiny when a court order recognizing Jewish ownership of many of the homes there provided the owners with legal permission to move back in, subsequently leading to the eviction of many Arab families who had been living in the homes for dozens of years.

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