Israeli army arrests Sheikh Jarrah demolition protesters

The Israeli army arrested five protesters on Wednesday night as they demonstrated in front of the residence of the mayor of Jerusalem against the demolition of Palestinian-owned houses in the occupied east of the city.

Those arrested were among dozens of Palestinians and international activists who gathered outside the home of Mayor Moshe Leon on Wednesday to protest in solidarity with the Salhiyah family, whose home in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood had been demolished that morning.

Israeli forces had broken into Mahmoud Salhiyah’s home, then beat and arrested all the members of his family in order to demolish the house, according to local eyewitnesses.

Dozens of homes are under threat of demolition in East Jerusalem as the Israeli municipality says it plans to turn the land into a public space.

But residents and their advocates accuse the Israeli authorities of planning to use the land to expand a nearby Jewish settlement.

A powerful, emotional message from Mahmoud Salhiya, protecting his home from the occupation.

“We have nothing left for us in Jerusalem. This is ethnic cleansing. Today me, tomorrow my neighbours. We’d rather die on our land w/ dignity than surrender to them.” #savesheikhjarrah pic.twitter.com/DB2ESLfjR7

— Jennine #SaveSheikhJarrah #SaveSilwan (@jennineak) January 18, 2022

The Israeli forces tried to evict the Salhiyah family on Monday, but stopped after some family members vowed to blow themselves up and destroy the houses.

Last night, in the cover of darkness & freezing cold, the homes of the Salhiyeh family in Sheikh Jarrah, Jerusalem, were destroyed by Israeli forces leaving 15 people homeless. This is unacceptable and must end. #SaveSheikhJarrah
https://t.co/DrpsXceAaR

— Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) January 19, 2022

The Israeli army arrested seven more Palestinians across the occupied West Bank on Thursday, Palestinian sources said.

Four Palestinians were arrested during an Israeli raid in the northern West Bank town of Qabatiya, including a disabled elderly man.

Two people were detained in the town of Al-Ram and one from Beit Anan, the sources said. Both towns are north of Jerusalem.

Israeli forces often carry out overnight raids in the Palestinian Authority-controlled West Bank to arrest Palestinians they accuse of planning a future offence.