The Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood (east Jerusalem) and a relatively easy to understand property dispute. Local courts upheld longstanding universally recognized law that says “if you don’t pay rent, you move out.” This had nothing to do with Israeli’s “cleansing” a neighborhood. Rather, it was a decades old property dispute that was ruled on that said the Palestinian squatter‘s time was up and the Jewish owners had every right to evict. A simple private property dispute.
Then, add the timing with the end of Ramadan so you had an emotional high for the area Arabs. Small clashes are the norm and this news added fuel to the flames. This tends to be the youth in the area who choose to participate in little street skirmishes & protests.
Add, a new US administration who took office in the last few months, ready to be challenged.
Finally, add Hamas who saw the scene and timing as the ultimate opportunity to press the West. Always eager to tell a “woe is us” narrative to any progressive media outlet who will carry it, Hamas started rocket attacks from strongholds in Gaza. It was not Palestinian retaliation to a human-rights/Geneva Convention violation. It was ripe & perfect timIng for provocation of Israel.
Agree/Disagree? Thoughts
Then, add the timing with the end of Ramadan so you had an emotional high for the area Arabs. Small clashes are the norm and this news added fuel to the flames. This tends to be the youth in the area who choose to participate in little street skirmishes & protests.
Add, a new US administration who took office in the last few months, ready to be challenged.
Finally, add Hamas who saw the scene and timing as the ultimate opportunity to press the West. Always eager to tell a “woe is us” narrative to any progressive media outlet who will carry it, Hamas started rocket attacks from strongholds in Gaza. It was not Palestinian retaliation to a human-rights/Geneva Convention violation. It was ripe & perfect timIng for provocation of Israel.
Agree/Disagree? Thoughts