Description

Silwan, Jerusalem (SILWANIC) --

100% of Silwan’s Palestinian residents view the coming eviction of the Sumrain family in Wadi Hilweh as a disaster for the neighborhood, a Silwanic poll found. The opinion poll, conducted with residents of Silwan on 13 November on the possible transferal of the house to settler ownership, found a common fear throughout the village of what the eviction might implicate for their futures.

Those interviewed state that the house’s strategic location makes it a key prize in Israeli settler groups’ quest for control of the village. Should settlers succeed in taking the house, it will further increase the harassment and danger residents suffer at the hands of settler security guards, and further degrade what remains of their privacy, as settler surveillance camera networks are bound to be expanded.
The poll found that the Sumrain family’s home had become a symbol in many residents’ minds as a tipping point in the struggle for Silwan. Many expressed fears that a successful eviction would “double” settlers’ confidence and intent to take the entire neighborhood, fueling further excavations at the City of David settlement and other physical takeovers.

Residents also expressed an urgent need to remain unified in the face of increased pressure of settler takeover and a need to stay informed of the settlers’ agenda.

One interviewed stated that “we shouldn’t forget that settlers are supported by not only the Israeli state, but also the United States, while we, the Palestinians, stand alone. Our utmost hope is only to earn a living, while they seek to take our properties from under our feet. It is an extremely hard situation, but we will never give up.”