Democrat lawmaker urges Biden to end Israel's expulsions of Palestinian families

Democrat lawmaker urges Biden to end Israel's expulsions of Palestinian families
A US Democrat addressed congress to urge the Biden Administration to put an end to Israel’s forced expulsions of Palestinian families in the West Bank.
3 min read
02 July, 2021
Marie Newman urged President Biden to put an end to the violence [Getty]

A US Democrat lawmaker has urged the Biden Administration to put an end to Israel's forced expulsions of Palestinian families from the West Bank, amid growing unease in the president's party over Washington's stance on events in the Middle East.

Illinois representative Marie Newman took to the floor of Congress to deliver an impassioned plea to end the displacement of Palestinian families, who continue to fight expulsion from the East Jarrah neighbourhood and now the al-Bustan quarter of Silwan, among other places.

"Today I rise on behalf of the thousands of Palestinian families in the West Bank that face the prospect of eviction, demolition and displacement from their homes by the Israeli government," she said.

"We have received word that demolition orders have already begun for homes in the al-Bustan neighbourhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem.

"A few months ago, families in Sheikh Jarrah and other neighbourhoods faced a similar fate. Tomorrow, others will also.

 

"After the devastation and bloodshed of the past a few months ago and the continued toll of the coronavirus pandemic on Palestinian families, we cannot allow these evictions, demolitions and displacements to further exacerbate this humanitarian crisis.

"It's wrong. This crisis must end now. This is about human rights, dignity and respect. If we are ever to achieve peace in the region – a true two-state solution – there must be a mutual understanding.

"I once again urge the Biden Administration to do everything in its power to stop the evictions."


A growing number of Democrat lawmakers and activists have criticised Biden's lukewarm response to Israel's aggression against Palestinians. 

"Once the latest confrontation between Israelis and Palestinians erupted in April, few expected what was to come from the Biden administration: resistance to condemn even the clearest violation of international law and human rights by Israel — such as the plans to evict Palestinians from their homes in a Jerusalem neighbourhood — even before the condemnable Hamas rockets began flying into Israel," wrote Shibley Telhami of the Brookings Institute.

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"In the process, Biden’s image, his agenda to lead on human rights and international law, and his support from key Democratic constituents at home have been badly damaged."

Israeli violence continues

Protesters were met with violence by Israeli forces outside a court hearing an appeal of the expulsion of Palestinians from Batn Al-Hawa in occupied East Jerusalem's Silwan neighbourhood.

Israel's Jerusalem Central Court "deferred" its ruling for the attorney general to be informed about the matter, according to Palestinian outlet AlQastal.

The new court date has not been scheduled.

Outside the courtroom, Israeli forces used violence against dozens of demonstrators supporting the neighbourhood's families, totalling 700 individuals, whose homes are at risk of settler takeover by Israeli settlers.

Amnesty International and other rights groups have demanded the expulsions in Silwan be stopped.

The human rights organisation's deputy MENA director, Saleh Higazi, said: "This is yet another illustration of Israel's criminal policy of forced displacement of Palestinians in motion."