Israel orders removal of protest tent in East Jerusalem

[News_Editor]

Israel orders removal of protest tent in East Jerusalem

2010-10-16 04:01:30 GMT+7 (ICT)

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (BNO NEWS) -- Israel has issued a demolition order against a Palestinian resident in East Jerusalem for the removal of a protest tent and threatened to raze his home if he did not comply, local media reported on Friday.

Naim al-Ruweidi was ordered by the Jerusalem city council to remove the protest tent by 8 a.m. local time on Sunday. Ruweidi set the tent to protest against municipal plans to level 22 homes in order to make way for a new tourism park.

Authorities threatened Ruweidi to expel him and his relatives from Jerusalem too, should he not reply. They said that the removal of the tent is imperative as it has caused clashes among Arab and Jewish residents.

Every week, hundreds of people attend Friday morning prayers at the Silwan protest tent which is located at the heart of the strife-torn district.

Earlier this year, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat declared his intention to raze 22 of the 88 illegal structures built at the site in order to make way for a park meant to attract tourists. Since then, he has been widely criticized which led to increased tensions in East Jerusalem.

On Friday, police had to use tear gas to disperse demonstrators outside the tent as tensions in Silwan continued. A group of Palestinian youngsters threw rocks toward Israeli police as they surrounded a Beit Dvash, a building settled by Jewish resident near the controversial Beit Yonatan.

In addition, a Jewish woman accused a group of Palestinians of running over her with a vehicle. The woman was not seriously injured.

Earlier, Palestinians hurled stones at an armored vehicle carrying Knesset and State Control Committee members who were touring the area.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-10-16

[canuck1941]

I recall that in 1930sGermany, Jewish property was confiscated by the Nazis. What goes around comes around. And Israel cannot understand why they are a pariah nation. And they have the temerity to call it democracy. Can anyone deny that Israel mistreats its minorities?

[Ulysses G.]

Almost every country destroys illegal structures on public land and the Jews in Germany had done nothing illegal other than being Jewish. By the way, look up the meaning of "what goes around comes around" as you have it completely backward.

Edited October 16, 2010 by Ulysses G.