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JERUSALEM, October 24, 2011 (WAFA) – Palestinian lawmakers in Jerusalem Monday welcomed the Israeli high court rule on Sunday to cancel the decision by Israeli Interior Minister, Eli Yishai, to withdraw Palestinian lawmakers’ residency in Jerusalem on the pretext of disloyalty to Israel.

Palestinian lawmaker Mohammad Totah and Jerusalem former minister Khaled Abu Arafa expressed their relief for the court’s decision and considered it as “a step in the right direction.”

They said, “Palestinian residents of Jerusalem have an alienable right to live in their city without cleansing policies targeting them.”

The court overruled Yishai’s decision because Israeli law does not grant the minister any power to make such a decision.

The Israeli High Court rule to cancel Yishai’s decision to withdraw lawmakers’ residency in Jerusalem was expected to end the 481 day protest, held since the decision was first issued by the interior minister to withdraw their residency and legal documents.

However, Totah and Abu Arafa reiterated their positions and said they will continue their strike in the lawmakers tent in East Jerusalem in front of the International Red Cross.

They added, “The arrest of lawmakers, Mohammad Abu Teir and Ahmad Attoun will not discourage us from continuing our strike.”

M.H./F.J.