East Jerusalem Simmers

While the current period has seen a lull in violence compared to the violence that wracked East Jerusalem for many months during and following the last summer’s Gaza war, the situation on the ground in East Jerusalem is neither peaceful nor stable.  There continue to be regular arrests of Palestinians, including youth. In Silwan, Israel is carrying out demolitions, while settlers continue to expand their presence by gaining control of new properties and seeking control over more (feats that, legal or illegal, could not be accomplished without support of the government of Israel).

Perhaps the most visible sign of the simmering anger and potential for real violence in East Jerusalem comes in the form of a spate of deadly car attacks emanating from and taking part mainly in that part of the city.  On April 15, one Israeli was killed and another seriously injured after a Palestinian resident of Anata (later arrested) allegedly deliberately rammed his car into them at a bus stop in French Hill. On April 25, three Israeli Border Policemen were injured when a Palestinian from Shuafat Refugee Camp (later arrested) hit them, apparently deliberately, with his car in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of A-Tur.  On May 20, three more Border Police officers were injured when a Palestinian from Jabel Mukaber (subsequently shot dead) ran his car into them in Abu Tor.

Further reading:

TOI, May 19: Israeli court jails East Jerusalem man for Facebook incitement

+972, May17: The real roots of violence in Jerusalem

Haaretz, May 14: Israel says it foiled Palestinian terror attack in east Jerusalem

IMEMC, May 14: Jewish Home MK Tours Settlement in East Jerusalem’s Silwan Neighbourhood (VIDEO)

Wafa, May 7: Israel Shuts Down NGO Center in Jerusalem [Health Work Committees (HWC)]