On Saturday evening, February 6, a large group of Israelis and Palestinians came together to protest the dispossession of Palestinian families in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan by extremist Jewish settlers. The event, organized by Peace Now, was the biggest joint Israeli-Palestinian demonstration in over a decade.
Settlers have been exploiting outdated and unjust Israeli laws to gain title to properties in East Jerusalem and to have Palestinian families evicted from their homes.
The joint demonstration — 700-persons strong — was a first of its kind in several ways. Silwan residents and Peace Now supporters rallied in Silwan, then marched together to join the weekly anti-Netanyahu, anti-corruption demonstration opposite the Prime Minister’s residence on West Jerusalem’s Balfour Street. It was the first time the concerns of the East Jerusalem Palestinians was brought to the Balfour Street protests. For most of the Israeli participants it was the first time they’d visited Silwan. And for the Palestinians, it was first time they’d demonstrated in West Jerusalem, and together with Israeli Jews.
Through this action, Peace Now sent a message about the link between the occupation and domestic issues. “This is a struggle for justice, equality, morals. A direct line runs between the corruption in Silwan and the corruption in Balfour,” a Peace Now statement said.
You can watch a recap of the event here:https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=128805352437067
Find out more about the dispossession of Palestinians in East Jerusalem at our webinar on Feb. 21. Guests: Hagit Ofran of Peace Now’s Settlement Watch and Kutaybah Odeh, a resident of Silwan facing eviction.
