Israel expelling whole Palestinian district in East Jerusalem, say activists : NPR

Key Points:

• Fakhri Abu Diab, a lifelong resident of East Jerusalem’s Silwan neighborhood, lost his family home to Israeli demolition due to lack of building permits, a common issue for Palestinians who face difficulties obtaining permits from Israeli authorities.
• Israeli authorities have been demolishing Palestinian homes and issuing eviction notices in Silwan to make way for Israeli settlers, religious sites, and archaeological projects, accelerating under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s right-wing government.
• Human rights groups like B'Tselem accuse Israel of ethnic cleansing in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, citing discriminatory legal practices and administrative measures that force Palestinians out, while Israeli officials deny these claims and label Palestinians as squatters.
• Archaeological excavations in Silwan, such as the City of David National Park, are used to support settler claims by emphasizing a biblical Jewish connection to the land, which critics say manipulates history to justify displacement.
• Despite eviction orders and home demolitions, many Palestinian residents like Abu Diab and Omar Abu Rajab express deep attachment to Silwan and vow to stay, highlighting the human cost and emotional pain of the ongoing conflict.