Jerusalem / PNN exclusive / Maisa Abu Ghazaleh - Director of the Jerusalem Center for Economic and Social Rights, Ziad Hammouri told PNN today that Israeli forces have demolished 51 houses in East Jerusalem since the beginning of 2008.

He said, “The delivery of demolition orders, the destruction or confiscation of houses and the construction of settlements are all being conducted frantically by the Israelis before any solution on the issue of Jerusalem can be implemented."

Hammouri added, "The new realities on the ground will be imposed de facto.” This year’s demolitions are focused on East Jerusalem's Silwan and Beit Hanina. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's advisor is referring to an "open battle on Jerusalem."

Hatem Abdel Qader, the Prime Minister's Advisor for Jerusalem Affairs, told PNN today, “We turn in the city of Jerusalem from battle to battle. There is an open war being waged against everything related to land and property and people.”
 
Abdel Qader continued, “Israel ignited a fire under the city’s environment, its nature and heritage. It has chases out Jerusalemites, is forcing them to flee. The time for international intervention is crucial to stop Israel from such practices that have become more brutal and bloody. Israel is taking advantage of the unique international political environment that has provided the opportunity to implement its plans.”
 
The Prime Minister's Advisor for Jerusalem Affairs stressed that the Palestinian Authority will provide all possible help.

The nightmare in Silwan’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood is far from over for the Al Kurd family. Israeli forces dragged them from their home at dawn last week after numerous attempts to save it, and now after being rendered homeless they are being targeted for living in a tent. For the third day running the Jerusalem Municipality imposed a fine of 430 NIS on the Al Kurd family on the grounds that it is using public land. However, when the Israeli administration confiscated their home for a year for the sake of Jewish settlers, the Al Kurd family leased a plot of land from Kamal Obeidat. The Al Kurd wife cared for her ailing husband in the tent, and now they have been forced to return.

Abu Qader commented on the unfolding case of the Al Kurds, “Israel’s prosecution of this family is evidence of the level the atrocities have reached. Israel not only forced her exit from their home but now also from her tent.”

He confirmed that the Israeli harassment will not discourage the people of Jerusalem from demonstrating at the solidarity tent that through its sit-ins has become the address of resistance in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.