Palestinian residents of the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah scuffle with Israeli forces and settlers on Wednesday (February 16).

Residents of the Palestinian neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah in occupied East Jerusalem say the intensified Israeli police and settler presence in the area come to lay the groundwork for a Palestinian family’s imminent forced displacement next month.

For the fourth day in a row, Israeli police have blocked off and set up checkpoints on all sides of the western area of Sheikh Jarrah – where the threatened Salem family home lies – heavily restricting exit and entry.

The Salems, a family of 11 including four children, are due to be forced out next month, after Israeli courts approved settler ownership claims over the home they’ve lived in since 1951. The family, who moved to Sheikh Jarrah after becoming refugees during the 1948 ethnic cleansing of Palestine by Zionist militias, told Al Jazeera that they intend to appeal the decision.

Matters escalated on Sunday, when Israeli far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for his provocative actions against Palestinians, set up a makeshift office next to the Salem home.

Ben-Gvir claimed he set up his office in response to an alleged firebombing of a settler’s home in the neighbourhood last week. Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian men in their 20s, claiming them as suspects, while locals said it was a short circuit that caused it.

Dozens of families in Sheikh Jarrah are facing displacement from their homes in coordinated efforts by the Israeli government and Jewish settler groups.

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: Jerusalem, 16 February 2022. Palestinian residents of the east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah scuffle with Israeli forces and settlers, in Jerusalem.


STORYLINE:

Residents of the Palestinian neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah in occupied East Jerusalem say the intensified Israeli police and settler presence in the area come to lay the groundwork for a Palestinian family’s imminent forced displacement next month.

For the fourth day in a row, Israeli police have blocked off and set up checkpoints on all sides of the western area of Sheikh Jarrah – where the threatened Salem family home lies – heavily restricting exit and entry.

The Salems, a family of 11 including four children, are due to be forced out next month, after Israeli courts approved settler ownership claims over the home they’ve lived in since 1951. The family, who moved to Sheikh Jarrah after becoming refugees during the 1948 ethnic cleansing of Palestine by Zionist militias, told Al Jazeera that they intend to appeal the decision.

Matters escalated on Sunday, when Israeli far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for his provocative actions against Palestinians, set up a makeshift office next to the Salem home.

Ben-Gvir claimed he set up his office in response to an alleged firebombing of a settler’s home in the neighbourhood last week. Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian men in their 20s, claiming them as suspects, while locals said it was a short circuit that caused it.

Dozens of families in Sheikh Jarrah are facing displacement from their homes in coordinated efforts by the Israeli government and Jewish settler groups.

Footage by/APAwire