Israelis Quietly Expand Enclave in Palestinian District of Jerusalem
23 Oct 2014 5:01 AM IST
Israeli guards quietly occupied two purchased residential buildings in a Palestinian district of East Jerusalem on Monday, expanding a Jewish settler project in defiance of US criticism. A previous move on September 30 by settlers into homes bought in the Silwan neighborhood, in an area captured by Israel in a 1967 war, coincided with a US visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and drew White House condemnation.
Hoping to cement Israel’s claim on all of Jerusalem, far-right Jews have been paying top dollar for Silwan properties, often through Arab middle-men to circumvent Palestinian taboos on such sales. An estimated 500 settlers, armed or protected by paramilitary police, live in Silwan among 50,000 Palestinians. Israel’s claim to all of Jerusalem as its capital is not recognised internationally.
In an apparent bid to stave off fresh scrutiny Monday’s Israeli arrivals slipped in by night and holed up in the two buildings whose 10 apartments, Palestinians said, had been vacant for months.
Hoping to cement Israel’s claim on all of Jerusalem, far-right Jews have been paying top dollar for Silwan properties, often through Arab middle-men to circumvent Palestinian taboos on such sales. An estimated 500 settlers, armed or protected by paramilitary police, live in Silwan among 50,000 Palestinians. Israel’s claim to all of Jerusalem as its capital is not recognised internationally.
In an apparent bid to stave off fresh scrutiny Monday’s Israeli arrivals slipped in by night and holed up in the two buildings whose 10 apartments, Palestinians said, had been vacant for months.
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