Settler attacks escalate in Jerusalem; arrests and demolitions target Jerusalemites
Settler attacks against Palestinians in Jerusalem continued, coinciding with an escalation of self-demolitions and forced demolitions of homes and structures under the pretext of “building without a permit.” This daily occurrence burdens the lives of Jerusalemites and threatens their stability in the city.
On Saturday evening, numerous settlers attacked shops in Jerusalem’s Old City markets, assaulting merchants and passersby, while also vandalizing some shop contents. Similar incidents occurred on Sunday. Since last Thursday, attacks on Jerusalem residents have persisted in their homes, shops, and on the streets, especially in and around the Old City. Settler marches celebrating the so-called “unification of Jerusalem”—marking the anniversary of East Jerusalem’s occupation according to the Hebrew calendar—have grown more frequent.
In response to these attacks, Israeli forces launched a series of arrests targeting Jerusalem residents of all ages — from the elderly to teenagers and young men — without presenting any clear charges, other than their efforts to defend themselves and their property.
Late Saturday evening, Jerusalemite Akram Zghayar (64 years old) was arrested, along with the two boys, Reda Odeh and Abdul Rahman Maswadeh.
On Friday, Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinians after dozens of armed settlers stormed the al-Sa'dyeh neighborhood in Jerusalem's Old City. Most of those arrested were placed under house arrest.
Meanwhile, forced self-demolitions continue in Jerusalem. On Saturday, the Halaseh family was forced to self-demolish their 20-square-meter home in the Jabal al-Mukabber village. The home, which had stood for 20 years, housed six people.
Awatif al-Ghoul, a resident of Jerusalem, was also forced to self-demolish her home in the Ras al-Amoud neighborhood of Silwan.
Last week, Jalal al-Taweel, a resident of Jerusalem, was forced to self-demolish a 70-square-meter room in his house in the al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan. He explained that the room had stood since 1975. At the same time, bulldozers and the occupation municipality continue to carry out direct demolition operations in several Jerusalem neighborhoods, as facilities and a warehouse in Silwan were demolished last week, in addition to a "barracks" in the town of Beit Hanina.
