Israel steps up evictions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem

JERUSALEM: In Silwan in East Jerusalem, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Kayed Rajabi and his neighbors have been handed eviction orders in favor of an Israeli settler organization which has already taken over parts of the Palestinian district. Rajabi’s home is surrounded by buildings that have raised large Israeli flags — a sign they are owned by settlers, who he said began buying homes in 2004, and have obtained about 40 buildings in Silwan now, many via forced evictions. Settler group Ateret Cohanim had offered to buy him and other Palestinians out, he said, but most had refused.

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