Escalation in Sheikh Jarrah could spark new military confrontation
Tension has returned to the flashpoint East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, which portends a renewed military confrontation between Palestinian factions and Israel.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Tensions that had sparked an 11-day conflict with Israel in the Gaza Strip in May 2021 recently returned to the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem.
The tensions escalated after far-right Knesset member Itamar Ben-Gvir set up a makeshift office in the neighborhood Feb. 13, in tandem with a notice of eviction against a Palestinian family living there.
Since then, clashes have been ongoing almost on a daily basis between Palestinian residents on the one hand, and Israeli settlers and police on the other. On Feb. 17, settlers called for storming the neighborhood, while Palestinian residents continue a sit-in they begun Feb. 13.
Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah continue to be threatened by forced displacement and house demolition. On Jan. 31, the Salem family received a notification to vacate their home located in the western part of the neighborhood under the pretext that the property is owned by Israeli settlers. The family has until April 1 to leave their home, otherwise their house will be demolished.
