Description

RAMALLAH, March 23, 2013 (WAFA) – Several dozen Palestinian activists who on Wednesday had set up a new tent neighborhood in an area east of Jerusalem they called Bab al-Shams were still in the tents on Saturday in spite of Israeli army threats to evict them, according to the activists.

Member of Fatah Central Committee Mahmoud Aloul said the activists were still in their positions in the new neighborhood they named Younis’ Grandchildren.

The Israeli army issued eviction order to the activists hours after they had set it up, which coincided with a visit for US President Barack Obama to Israel and Palestine.

The activists, however, refused to abide by the military order and decided to stay on the land. The army as a result cordoned off the area to prevent more people from reaching it.

The activists are anticipating forceful eviction from the area at any time.

Bab al-Shams was the first Palestinian protest tent village activists had build on the threatened land, referred to as E1, which is located in the occupied Palestinian territory and where Israel wants to build thousands of housing units for a new Jewish-only settlement in the area.

Palestinians say the new settlement will kill all chances of having a contiguous Palestinian state in the West Bank.

M.S.