JERUSALEM (JTA) — Several thousand Palestinians and left-wing activists protested in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah against the eviction of Palestinian families from their homes.
The protesters, estimated at 3,000 or 5,000 by Israeli media outlets, carried Palestinian flags and chanted slogans in a peaceful demonstration on Saturday night in a soccer field opposite the area where the homes are located. An Israel Supreme Court ruling on Thursday paved the way for the gathering; police had said they could not handle the protesters.
There have been ongoing demonstrations near the site of the home, where several Jewish families now live, every Friday for the past six months, since the extended Palestinian families were evicted from their homes by court order after it was proven in court that they were previously owned by Jews. It is the largest demonstration so far, according to reports.
Some 300 protesters were permitted to march in front of the disputed homes, as ordered by the court.
Hundreds of right-wing counter protesters shouted slogans near the Tomb of Shimon HaTzadik.
