Settlers Seize Palestinian Home in Jerusalem
In a significant escalation of tensions in occupied Jerusalem, settlers have seized the Ghaith family home in the Batn al-Hawa neighborhood of Silwan. This incident occurred on December 10, 2024, just days after the family received an eviction notice from Israeli authorities. The Wadi Hilweh Information Center, a human rights organization, reported that settlers stormed the property, claiming ownership of the land on which the house was built. This seizure has raised concerns about the ongoing displacement of Palestinian families in the area.
The Ghaith family, who have lived in their home since 1979, were given until December 10 to vacate the premises following a Supreme Court decision made in September 2024. The court ruled in favor of the Ateret Cohanim settlement association, which claims that the land belongs to Jews from Yemen since 1881. The property, consisting of two floors and housing ten individuals, was taken under heavy police presence, including the use of police dogs and aerial surveillance by drones.
Zuhair al-Rajabi, head of the Batn al-Hawa neighborhood committee, highlighted the broader implications of this event, noting that 87 families in the neighborhood are currently facing similar judicial threats. The recent seizure of the Ghaith home is part of a troubling trend, following the eviction of other families in the area, including the Abu Nab and Shahada families earlier this year. This pattern of displacement raises urgent questions about the future of Palestinian residents in Silwan and the impact of settlement policies in Jerusalem.
