The stealth conflict waged across East Jerusalem neighbourhoods
A SHADOW war is underway between Israel and the Palestinian Authority over attempts by right-wing Jewish groups to buy property in Palestinian neighbourhoods of East Jerusalem.
After both sides carried out arrests, Israel last month suspended its security coordination with the Palestinian Authority in the city.
The property acquisitions included that of Adib Judeh, a member of one of the most famous families in Jerusalem’s Old City, who was involved in selling a building in the Muslim Quarter to a settlers’ group.
Mr Judeh claimed that he sold the property to a recognised Palestinian businessman and had no idea that he was acting on behalf of the settlers.
But the publicity led to his family announcing that he will no longer be one of the custodians of the keys to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a role that has been held by the family for centuries.
In another case, a man killed in a road accident was refused burial in the Muslim cemeteries in East Jerusalem due to his involvement in land sales to Jews.
And recent rulings by the High Court have allowed Jewish organisations to occupy properties in the neighbourhoods of Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah, which were owned by Jews before 1948.
The cases have heralded a period of tit-for-tat reprisals. The Palestinian Authority routinely carried out arrests aimed at intimidating property sellers in the city; these have become more frequent, including Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem who hold Israeli citizenship — a step viewed by Israel as a “red line”.
The PA also arrested Issam Akel, an East Jerusalem resident with American citizenship, leading to official protests from the Trump administration.
Israel responded with the arrest of dozens of Fatah activists, including PA security officials and Adnan Jit, who acts the PA’s governor in the city.
The Palestinian Minister for Jerusalem Affairs Adnan al-Husseini has also been questioned by Israeli police.
While Israel officially does not allow the PA to operate in East Jerusalem, it has usually turned a blind eye to some of its activities there. Palestinian security organisations have been allowed to move through the outer suburbs of Jerusalem as part of their operations, which are coordinated with Israel’s security establishment.
But in recent weeks all such movements have stopped, with Israel making it clear that the PA will not be allowed to operate there until the Israel and US citizens are released.
Mutual interest means that IsraeliPalestinian security coordination in the wider West Bank still continues — but in East Jerusalem, the suspension is a logistical headache and a national humiliation for the Palestinians.