Europeans for al-Quds has strongly condemned the escalating violence by extremist Jewish settlers under the protection of the Israeli government and police in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.
The settlers’ attacks on Palestinian citizens in Sheikh Jarrah and their attempts to forcibly displace them and seize their homes and lands “constitute a crime that amounts to ethnic cleansing” Europeans for al-Quds said in a statement on Monday.
The organization expressed its full solidarity with the people of Sheikh Jarrah “who are facing one of the most cruel attacks and attempts of forced displacement.”
It said that such attacks escalated on Sunday morning February 13 2022 as far-right Knesset member Itamar Ben Gvir reopened his office in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood where settlers and police officers assaulted the residents of the neighborhood and their supporters.
“Prior to the reopening of the office the settlers began gathering in the vicinity of the house of the Jerusalemite Salem family in the western part of Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.”
“Over the course of the day settlers and the Israeli [police] carried out repeated attacks against Palestinian citizens injuring at least 31 people including two solidarity activists two journalists and 3 paramedics.”
The injuries were caused by rubber-coated metal bullets stun grenades beatings and pepper spray the organization explained.
Until late on Sunday evening the Israeli police continued its aggressive practices in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood closing its western entrance with road barriers expelling the solidarity activists who rallied outside the Salem family’s home and securing the area for extremist settlers and MK Ben Gvir.
Local residents and solidarity activists were also assaulted by police forces. In addition in less than 24 hours 15 civilians were arrested according to Europeans for al-Quds.
Europeans for al-Quds expressed its deep concern over such police and settler practices and the persistent persecution demolition and displacement campaigns that target the Palestinians in east Jerusalem.
It urged the European Union to move urgently and take decisive action that puts an end to Israeli violations against the Palestinians in the holy city.
