Yacoub Odeh: Land & Housing Research Centre
(Liftah refugee, now a guide inside Israel )
Liftah is the nearest Arab village to the Jerusalem wall. It is 4000 years old. Before the Nakhba, Liftah was a thriving town. Olive presses produced more oil than needed and was able to sell much. This was also the case with fruit and vegetables. There are water-springs in Lift. All villagers had the right to the land and water for vegetables. The water source was a main meeting point for all the residents. The school remains today – but for Israeli-Jewish children only. Yahya Hammoudah, the second Chairman of the PLO was a graduate from Lifta school before 1948.
After the Nakba Liftah villagers tried to defend their land. In 1947 the Stern Gang and Irgun forces attacked Liftah café. In 1948 20 homes were destroyed. The killing and destruction continued until after the Deir Yassin massacre – al the residents forced out. Four generations later the descendants are still protesting for the right to return. 205 war crimes against thePalestinians were registered between 1947 and 1948, based on 27, mainly Israeli sources. Upper Liftah now has new Israeli buildings.