Thanks to everyone who came back to us with actions they are planning
in their countries. We had a really good response and so far heard of
actions planned for the 13th July in New York, Washington, Chicago,
Sweden, Denmark, Holland, France, Spain, Glasgow, London, Czech
Republic and Egypt. There will also be actions in both West and East
Jerusalem itself. If you live in one of these countries and would like
to get involved, please email sheikh.jarrah [at] hotmail.co.uk and we can
put you in touch with the organisers.



IF YOU ARE PLANNING YOUR OWN ACTION, PLEASE LET US KNOW to help us
coordinate the whole day and make it a success. Please contact your
local media (if appropriate) to try to get as big media coverage as
possible.



We have made a video to support this call out -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XxLAl6ukWo. Please distribute this
video widely through your Facebook, blogs & websites.



SITUATION IN EAST JERUSALEM

Each year, hundreds of Palestinians living in East Jerusalem are
displaced as a result of Israel’s policy of demolishing Palestinian
homes built without construction permits, which are nearly impossible
to obtain. Thousands of others live with the ever-present risk of
displacement due to outstanding demolition and eviction orders. Since
1967, Israel has failed to provide Palestinian residents of East
Jerusalem with adequate planning to meet natural population growth and
the Israeli authorities have demolished an estimated 2,000 houses.
While Palestinians face significant obstacles to legal building on the
13 percent of East Jerusalem designated for Palestinian construction,
Israeli settlements have flourished on the 35 percent of land
expropriated for them, in contravention of international law.





UPDATES

Despite of their recent declarations to freeze 70% of demolition
orders, recent events indicate that the Jerusalem municipality will
maintain, and possibly accelerate, its policy on house evictions and
demolitions:





- SHEIKH JARRAH

In Sheikh Jarrah, the Israeli authorities have recently intensified
the pressure on the local community. In addition to the current
eviction orders, the settler organisations started court processes
with further three out of the 28 families living in the area. This
could potentially result in the court issuing new eviction orders.
Ultimately, the goal of the settlers is to evict all 28 families and
to implant a new Jewish settlement.



The two families that are under imminent threat of losing their homes,
Hannoun and Al-Gawe, received yet another eviction order on the 28th
June, valid for 30 days. The police can come any time within this
period to forcibly evict the houses. This is in addition to the latest
court decision which ordered the families to hand in their keys and
leave their houses voluntarily by noon on the 19th July. After this
date, the fathers of the families will be sent to prison indefinitely
- they will be taken as hostages until the remaining members leave the
houses.





- OTHER UPDATES FROM AROUND EAST JERUSALEM



1st July 2009 - Israel to demolish more Jerusalem homes -
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=38949



30th June 2009 - Israel demolishes Palestinian house on Jerusalem’s
Mount of Olives - http://palsolidarity.org/2009/06/7420



24th June 2009 - East Jerusalem residents prepare for demolitions -
http://palsolidarity.org/2009/06/7330



22nd June 2009 - Israeli police hand over 65 demolition orders in
Jerusalem - http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=38720



20th June 2009 - Third Jerusalemite forced to demolish own home near
Sepulcher Church -
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=38686



13th June 2009 - Israeli authorities force two Old City residents to
demolish own homes -
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=38521