25 years After Purchase, Israelis Enter Home in Eastern Jerusalem

Israeli families entered their home in eastern Jerusalem, on Wednesday, 25 years after the building was initially acquired from its Arab owners.

The families entered their new home in Kfar Shiloach (Silwan) after an Israeli court rejected the final petitions on the legality of the purchase and after police evicted the Arab inhabitants, who refused to leave the premises and ignored the court order.

The building was acquired by the Elad organization from the previous owners.

The Siyam family, who were finally evicted on Wednesday, continued to occupy the home despite the many petitions and a court ruling on the issue. The family did not rent the house from Elad but refused to evacuate it after it was sold a quarter of a century ago.

The Ir David Foundation (Amutat EL-AD), is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the “preservation and development of the Biblical City of David and its environs.”