During the last week, the right-wing association El'Ad and the Police have intensified their operations against the Palestinian citizens of Silwan.  Local residents who protested against the archaeological excavations (see Maps & Photos section) conducted under their houses have been detained for interrogations, and the excavations have continued with excessive force, under the supervision and protection of Israeli police.

The residents risk themselves and protest, we must stand along side them and show them our support! On Friday, February 15, at 9.00am, Israeli residents of Jerusalem will show solidarity and protest in front of the entrance to the “City of David” visitors center . We will wait for the tourists with signs and flyers, explaining to them who really stands behind the tours in “City of  David”.

Background:
Elad association has been working to cleanse the neighborhood of Wadi Hilwe in Silwan from its Palestinian inhabitants for over a decade. The association uses different means for its objectives: buying out houses legally or by forgery and deceit, utilizing a network of collaborators which destroys the community from within, and mainly using the archaeological excavations and growing tourism as means to oust the local residents.

The state of Israel has given the full responsibility and control over the archaeological sites in Silwan to Elad, which in turn created a method of expelling citizens from their properties, appropriating public areas, enclosing these lands with fences and guards, and banning the entrance of the local residents. Elad monitors and executes aggressive archaeological excavations which are conducted secretly and illicitly, while violating international codes of ethic and under the protection of a private security force. Elad has managed to put its foothold in all the authorities and committees that are relevant to its cause: the Jerusalem Municipality, national state committees, The Antiquities Authority, The Nature & National Parks Protection Authority, and The Custodian for Absentee Property. Any attempt by the local residents to stand up against Elad, is met by a swift operation of the Israeli police and security services (Shin Bet).

Hundreds of thousands of visitors a year are led through the excavation site in Silwan, and are brainwashed with a biased narrative told by Elad, under the charm of the National Parks Authority and The Antiquities Authority. The distortion of facts and the oppression of the local residents must come to light, and especially to those who visit the site.

For further details:  Adv. Sami Erscheid at 0524 204 350
Meir Margalit:  0544 345 503 (after February 19th)
Liat (demo organiser - Taayush - 02-623 2737)
 
 
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions
Tel: 972 (0)2 624 5560
Fax: 972 (0)2 622 1530
http://www.icahd.org
PO Box 2030
Jerusalem 91020
Israel