12/05/2021
Dear friends abroad!
As you must know, we are currently in an emergency situation, with missiles launched at vast areas including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and violante riots all across Israeli-arab villages, cities and roads. So far a lot of damage was done, and several casualties unfortunately.
Since I see a lot of fake news or one-sided posts, it's important for me to try and clarify the situation as much as i understand it.
What happened in Sheich Jarah?
Sheich Jarah is a mostly Arab neighborhood in eastern Jerusalem, not far from the old city. Several buildings in that area, close to Shimon Hatzadik Tomb, were belong to Jews since 1875 until they were expelled in independence war when Jordan conquered eastern Jerusalem. After Six days War, when Israel reunited Jerusalem, the original owners of the buildings turned to the court which demanded since 1982 that the residents will pay rent, this way, no one will be able to evacuate them. on 6.5.2021, after years of appeals to courts, the supreme court decided that due to their refusal to pay rent, and illegal constructions, they will be evacuated. This is a legal matter, as many other cases in which Jews were forced to evacuate their homes from similar reasons (Netiv Haavot, Mitzpe Kramim ect.)
What happened in Temple Mount?
As you know, those are last days of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Since Israel allows freedom of religion, tens of thousands of Muslims were allowed up the mountain, from Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Many of the prayers started throwing stones and burning tires as a response to the police decision to not allow sitting on the stairs next to Damascus Gate.
So why is the violence so sudden and powerful?
Timing. Not long ago, Palestinian elections were cancelled by Abu Mazen. Real reason, the attempt to prevent Hamas from gaining power in the west Bank. Hamas wants to show his influence outside the Gaza Strip. Add to that, last days of Ramadan. Add to that Jerusalem with all the intensity and religious feelings that this city holds, add to that the known problem of Fake News in Social networks and the violence already exist in the Israeli-Arab villages with loads of illegal weapons, and you get those clashes.
Currently, Israel is under attack. Rockets are launched from Gaza, and innocent civilians are being attacked by their neighbors.
What can you do to help?
Unfortunately, a lot of hate and fake news is being spread around the internet which leads to hate and violence in the real world. Take a step, publish real facts to your surrounding, let your friends and family know that this is not a Jewish attack on Arabs. We still believe in co-existence and our main prayer is for peace. But if we are being attacked we will stand for our lives and we will say no more. The time in which Jews were killed without ability to defend themselves, are gone, thank god.
Lastly, join us in the prayer for peace: "Ose Shalom Bimromav, Hu Iaase Shalom Aleinu Veal Kol Israel Veimru Amen"
