A settler organization has taken control of two apartments in the Batn al-Hawa neighborhood of Silwan, displacing a Palestinian family. The apartments, owned by brothers Raed and Muhammad Basbous, were seized by the Ateret Cohanim association, which claims the land was historically owned by Jews of Yemeni descent. This operation resulted in the forced displacement of ten family members, who were removed from their homes. Witnesses reported that settlers, accompanied by Israeli security forces, entered the building, changed locks, and installed metal fixtures on the windows, effectively asserting control over the property. This incident contributes to ongoing tensions in Batn al-Hawa, where Palestinian residents have faced repeated eviction attempts amid increasing settlement activity.
Why It Matters
The displacement of Palestinian families in Silwan is part of a broader trend of Israeli settlement expansion in East Jerusalem, an area with a complex historical context. Since 1967, when Israel occupied East Jerusalem, numerous Palestinian families have been evicted from their homes to make way for Jewish settlements. Ateret Cohanim is one of the most active settler organizations, working to increase the Jewish presence in predominantly Palestinian neighborhoods. The ongoing evictions and settlements raise significant legal and humanitarian concerns, as they are viewed by many international observers as violations of international law and contribute to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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