Pandemic worsens conditions in occupied Jerusalem

ANKARA (AA) - A Turkey-based association issued its yearly report covering its activities in Jerusalem as well as human rights violations by Israel.

For Palestinians, the year 2020 started with political pressure by a so-called peace plan, Deal of the Century, suggested by outgoing US President Donald Trump, according to the report by Mirasimiz (Our Heritage) Association, which works on the preservation of the Ottoman heritage in Jerusalem and its adjacent territories.

The pandemic challenges, used as a tool by Israel against the Palestinians, made things worse in Jerusalem, said the report -- Jerusalem 2020.

- Jerusalem under economic clamp

Using the pandemic as a pretext, Israel made life in Jerusalem even harder through imposed "arbitrary restrictions", the report also said, adding that the country supported Jewish settlers’ businesses in the city while imposing partial or sometimes even weeks-long curfews.

According to the information provided to the association by senior Palestinian figures, over 700 Palestinian businesses were closed, and at least 17,000 Palestinians lost their jobs, raising the unemployment rate to almost 80%.

Also, Palestinians were fined 3.5 million Israeli Shekel (around $1.1 million). Among Palestinians living in Jerusalem, at least 17,500 COVID-19 infections and 132 fatalities were recorded.

- House raids, detentions

In Jerusalem, during curfews, at least 600 young Muslims working in humanitarian aid activities were arrested, the report noted.

Moreover, 2,005 Palestinians, including 201 women and 382 children, were arrested, while eight Muslims were martyred by Israeli soldiers.

- Raids into Al-Aqsa Mosque, prohibitions

The report said some 18,000 extremist Jews stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Many prominent figures of the struggle for Jerusalem, including former mufti Skeikh Ekrima Sabri and Nureddin Rebebi were banned from Al-Aqsa.

Maintenance and restoration efforts for the mosque were suspended 16 times by occupation authorities, it added.

- Destruction, confiscation, 'Judaization'

The Jerusalem municipality continued to pose difficulties to prevent the Muslims from building new homes and businesses on their land, the report stressed.

A fee of $40,000 is asked from Palestinians in Jerusalem to apply for construction of settlements, it said, noting that the application process may take up to eight years to be finalized, which is generally rejected. Demolition orders are issued for previously built Palestinian residences as well as workplaces because they are unlicensed, the report added.

In 2020, a total of 181 demolitions were carried out, including 110 homes and 71 workplaces.

Also, the municipality evacuated 49 houses in the Sheikh Cerrah and Silvan Quarters, claiming that they belonged to Jews. Jerusalem Muslims were fined $3,050,000 over claims that their homes and workplaces were unlicensed, said the report.

Tunnel excavations under the Al-Aqsa caused cracks and dents in 16 houses in the Silvan district and 15 homes in the Silsile Gate of the ancient Jerusalem, it also noted.

- Holy sites, farmlands attacked

The report by the association also pointed out that some extremist groups of Jews burned, cut down, or uprooted 6,431 olive trees in Jerusalem's surrounding Muslim villages and towns, while Israel closed 25 educational and cultural institutions as well as media outlets.

A mosque and a church were set on fire by extremists who attacked the Yusufiye Martyrs' Cemetery and destroyed the graves, according to the report, which also said the Temple Youth, an extremist Jewish group, launched an aid campaign for the Judaization of the Masjid al-Aqsa.

- Turkish association continues to support Jerusalem during pandemic

Muhammet Demirci, the head of the Our Heritage Association, said they were trying to meet the needs of people in Jerusalem with the assistance of the Turkish people.

Demirci, who prepared the report, explained the activities they carried out in Jerusalem last year.

"Food packages were delivered to 11,500 families, including 5,075 of which were distributed in the [Muslim holy] month of Ramadan,” Demirci said, adding that they also allocated the special form of Islamic alms-charity to the needy people.

He noted that they delivered the iftar meals to 8,435 families through soup kitchens and provided cash support to 145 families throughout the year.

"We extended our hand of compassion to orphans and needy children of Jerusalem, showing particular sensitivity to them. During the Ramadan and Eid al-Adha, we made 635 children happy with their holiday clothes and allowance," he stressed.

In 2020, we planted 1,025 olive tree saplings on the lands of Jerusalem residents whose land is suitable for planting olive trees, he added.

The Makasid Hospital, which meets the needs of Muslims in the West Bank and Gaza, is on the verge of closing due to challenges, he said, adding that they initiated a campaign to help the hospital’s financial difficulties.

Demirci stressed that the association has been continuing its humanitarian aid activities for 14 years which, he said, will help the Muslims in Jerusalem hold on to life while restoring the historical legacy of the Ottoman Empire there.