DaysofPal- In a move condemned by Palestinian officials and rights groups, the Israeli occupation authorities have deported three Palestinian ex-prisoners from the occupied city of Jerusalem.
The Israeli Interior Minister, Moshe Arbel, announced the decision on Wednesday, who issued an arbitrary order expelling Zeina Barbar, Muhammad Abu al-Hawa, and Tasneem Odeh from the city.
According to local sources, two of the deportees were among those released the first phase of Gaza ceasefire deal between Palestinian factions and Israel following recent hostilities in Gaza.
Their deportation marks a significant escalation in Israel’s ongoing campaign against Jerusalemites, particularly those with ties to resistance movements or previous imprisonment.
Judaization Plan
The Hamas Movement strongly denounced the decision, labeling it a “barbaric and unjust act.”
In a statement, Hamas described the deportations as part of the extremist Israeli government’s broader strategy to “empty the holy city of its people” and advance its agenda of Judaization and settlement expansion.
“This is not just about individuals; this is about erasing the identity of Jerusalem,” the statement read. “The occupation continues its systematic targeting of Jerusalemites through persecution, suppression, demolition of homes, and now, outright deportation.”
Escalating Repression Against Jerusalemites
The deportations come amid an intensified crackdown on Palestinians living in East Jerusalem. Reports indicate that at least nine Jerusalemites have been targeted with deportation orders during February alone. Among them are three former prisoners released in the exchange deal, as well as a journalist who was forcibly removed from Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Additionally, Mahmoud and Ahmed Mona, owners of a prominent scientific library in Jerusalem, were arrested last Sunday and later released under strict conditions, including five days of house arrest and a 20-day ban from their own library. These measures highlight the Israeli authorities’ focus on specific areas within Jerusalem, where they appear to be implementing punitive actions designed to disrupt community life and cultural institutions.
International Condemnation Expected
Human rights organizations and international observers are expected to criticize the deportations as violations of both human rights and international law. Deporting residents from their native city effectively strips them of their residency rights and undermines their ability to maintain connections to their families, communities, and heritage.
For many Palestinians, these actions symbolize the ongoing struggle for survival in a city that holds deep religious, historical, and cultural significance. As tensions continue to rise, advocates warn that such policies risk exacerbating instability in the region and further alienating Palestinians from any prospects of peace.
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