Israel planning settlement after evicting Jerusalem families

[azurnoir]

Jerusalem – Ma’an – Israel plans to build 250 units of settlement housing after it forcibly evacuates two East Jerusalem families, a lawyer for the Palestinian president’s office said on Tuesday.

The remarks come after the Israeli district court decided on Sunday to fine each family 50,000 US dollars, with a further fine of 50,000 shekels (12,500 US dollars) if they do not evacuate by 19 July, the date of a court hearing.

The families are two of the 27 that live in a 28-building complex in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. The court ruled in favor of a settler organization, Nahalat Shimon, which claims it is the owner of the buildings. The Palestinians are accused of not paying rent to these self-proclaimed landlords.

Meanwhile on Monday, the United States and European Union lodged official protests with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the eviction orders.

http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=37910

[TimesSquareCowboy]

1. I hereby declare myself landlord of Nahalat Shimon.

[snappyturtle]

2. I do not see how expansion of settlements can ever be a prelude to peace in the region. nt