Arabs: Jerusalem's Judaization new Nakba
Some 200 protestors mark Nakba Day by marching to Sheikh Jarrah, waving Palestinian flags. MK Zahalka warns of eruption of third intifada should government implement house razing plans
Some 200 protestors marked Nakba Day on Saturday on the State of Israel's 62nd anniversary by marching towards east Jerusalem'sSheikh Jarrah neighborhood.
The protestors, led by Balad Knesset members, held Palestinian flags and signs reading "Judaization of Jerusalem – the new Nakba."
MK Jamal Zahalka (Balad), who led the parade together with Fatah's Jerusalem chief Khaten Abd al-Kader, explained the rationale for holding the protest in the capital in a talk with Ynet.
"There is an attempt to undertake a transfer of people. According to statistics, more than 60,000 people live under the threat of house demolition, and hundreds of houses face razing plans," he said.
"Should Barkat, Aharonovitch and Netanyahu will try to implement the orders, it will be like tossing a match into a field," he warned. "If they try to implement the mad demolition plan there will be a third intifada," he said. "I'm calling for Palestinian unity on the defense of Jerusalem. This is every Palestinian's responsibility."
MK Hanin Zuabi (Balad) added that the Sheikh Jarrah case symbolizes the injustice caused to Palestinians.
"This is a political atrocity and human tragedy. People who were expelled from their original villages in 1948 came to Jerusalem and now Israel is persecuting them again. This is a second Nakba for them."
The MK also said that Arabs are protesting against the plan to Judaize Jerusalem, "Which Netanyahu wishes to complete by the end of his term."
"We are the non-silent victim who doesn't agree with the Zionist project's core of a Jewish state," she said.
Earlier this week, Balad activist Omar Said was arrested on suspicion of espionage. Author Ameer Makhoul was also detained in connection to the affair.
