Story perspectives

Forced Evictions in East Jerusalem Fuel Ethnic Cleansing Claims

3/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

B’Tselem says forced evictions in East Jerusalem's Batn al-Hawa in Silwan escalated on March 25, when police escorted settlers from Ateret Cohanim to seize 13 Palestinian apartments, fueling claims of ethnic cleansing.
About 2,200 Silwan residents face imminent displacement.
The evictions rely on the Absentees' Property Law, permitting claims on properties owned by Jews before 1948, a point activists say aims to alter demographics amid the ongoing Iran conflict.

History

Historical Context

The Absentees' Property Law, enacted in 1950, enabled the Israeli government to seize properties from Palestinians who fled during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. This law has led to the displacement of thousands, with around 2,200 residents in Silwan facing eviction today. Such actions reflect ongoing demographic changes and raise concerns about ethnic cleansing amid heightened regional tensions, particularly involving Iran.

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Story summary

B’Tselem says forced evictions in East Jerusalem's Batn al-Hawa in Silwan escalated on March 25, when police escorted settlers from Ateret Cohanim to seize 13 Palestinian apartments, fueling claims of ethnic cleansing.
About 2,200 Silwan residents face imminent displacement.
The evictions rely on the Absentees' Property Law, permitting claims on properties owned by Jews before 1948, a point activists say aims to alter demographics amid the ongoing Iran conflict.

1 / 2