Owner of Al-Musrara Café Vows to Fight for His Rights
Muhammad Awda Kastero, the owner of Al-Musrara Café located near Bab al-Amoud in occupied Jerusalem, has expressed his determination to reclaim his café after it was forcibly evacuated by occupation forces. Kastero has been embroiled in a lengthy legal battle since 2010, facing multiple eviction orders which he has consistently resisted, asserting his rightful ownership of the establishment. He stated, "I am the owner of Al-Musrara Café, and I will remain the owner of the rights to it. If I do not return to it in my lifetime, my children and grandchildren will return to it one day."
Kastero's struggle is rooted in a lease agreement he entered into in 1954 with the Jordanian Custodian of Enemy Property. He claims that the occupation has no legal grounds to evict him, particularly since the records of the lease were seized during the occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967. He noted that the recent escalation in harassment began with the formation of the extremist Israeli government in late 2022, which has refused to renew his lease contract.
Historical Context and Ongoing Challenges
The legal complexities surrounding Kastero's case are intertwined with the broader historical context of property ownership in Jerusalem. The 1950 Absentees’ Property Law, enacted by the Israeli Knesset, aimed to manage properties belonging to Palestinians displaced during the 1948 war, facilitating their transfer to Israeli ownership. Kastero argues that the claims of Jewish ownership prior to the 1948 Nakba are misleading, stating that the true owners of the café are Palestinians who have lived in the city for generations.
As he stood outside his café, Kastero held the keys tightly, symbolizing his unwavering connection to the establishment. He remarked, "These keys mean everything to me. They will remain in my hands until the last moment, and if possible, I will ask to bury them with me. I will still bring a chair and sit here in front of the café." His story reflects the ongoing struggles faced by many Palestinians in Jerusalem as they navigate the complexities of property rights and the impact of occupation.
