Palestinians erect "Protest Village"

Dozens of Palestinian activists gathered near the Palestinian town of Abu Dis, which is located East of Jerusalem. Their goal? To erect another "protest village" in an area that Israel has designated as the E1 zone. The village was erected in solidarity with the Bedouin community in the area that is threatened to be displaced by the Israelis. This village follows the original model of the Bab Al Shams village that was constructed years ago in 2013. The Protesters planned to remain at the encampment to prevent further settlement expansion into the area, as well as to remain in solidarity with the Jahaleen clan which Israel has threatened to remove off the land. The Israeli E1 plan required the displacement of the Bedouin community in order to further construction in order to connect Jerusalem with the settlement of Ma'ale Adumim. The plan will split the West Bank, driving a wedge of Israeli settlements between the Southern part of the territories from the rest. It will also displace 46 Bedouin communities from their homes and lands in the Jordan Valley and other locations. Keeping Palestinian cities and towns apart from each other and making a Palestinian state impossible. The Popular Resistance committees have constructed several of these protest villages, and the Israelis did not hesitate to repress them and tear them down. The village of Jerusalem's gate was given an eviction notice like those before it and was demolished a night later. To the Palestinians protecting the village was more than an act of resistance, but also served as a reminder that one day they will return to these lands as part of an independent Palestine.