JERUSALEM (JTA) — A Palestinian family may not be evicted from its home in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, a Jerusalem court ruled.
The Jerusalem Magistrates’ Court ruled Wednesday that the Farhan family, who has lived in a house in the neighborhood since 1948, could not be evicted, Haaretz reported.
The house is owned by a committee that has taken over ownership of land that was owned by Jews before 1948. It is located in what is now a predominately Jewish neighborhood surrounding the burial caves of Simon the Just.
Eighteen family members are living in three rooms, according to Haaretz. The family was accused of failing to pay rent, making changes to the house and harassing its Jewish neighbors.
The court said the charges could not be proven. It also ordered the plaintiffs to reimburse the Farhan family for its legal fees.
Several Palestinian families have been evicted from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah by court order.
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