Tensions have been rising fast in Jerusalem, and tomorrow, Monday, has the potential to be a very dangerous day. Why? 1/

In the last month we’ve seen assaults by Palestinian residents on Orthodox Jews. We’ve seen Jewish supremacist groups like Lehava bully and intimidate Arab residents. And now Palestinian families face forcible eviction from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah, E. Jerusalem. 2/

In mid-April, police closed off the plaza at Damascus Gate to East Jerusalem Palestinians who customarily gather there to mark the end of the daily fast in E. Jerusalem’s “town square.” Palestinians protesting the restrictions were met with a harsh police response. 3/

On April 22 throngs of Lehava Jewish extremists gathered in city center and marched to Damascus Gate, ostensibly to “restore Jewish dignity,” after vids posted on Tik Tok showed incidents of Palestinians harassing and attacking ultra Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem. 4/

The Jewish supremacists, who follow in the path of Rabbi Meir Kahane, marched through the city, chanting “Death to Arabs,” aiming to terrify and intimidate the city’s Palestinian residents during the holy month of Ramadan. 5/

While these kinds of ethnic tensions are, sadly, not new to Jerusalem, the Jewish supremacists of today are emboldened by the election to the Knesset in March of extremist politicians proudly espousing Kahanist views. 6/

Meanwhile, Palestinians living in the nearby Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood face eviction in the face of settler expansion. This, in the middle of both Ramadan and the ongoing pandemic. Palestinians and Israelis protesting the evictions have been met with a harsh police response. 7/

A key court hearing on the evictions, scheduled for Monday, has now been postponed. 8/

On top of all of this, tomorrow, May 10, is Jerusalem Day, when Israelis celebrate the reunification of the city in 1967. 9/

Every year, thousands of ultra-nationalist Israelis - mostly young, mostly religious, many extremists- hold their annual “Flag March” through the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, one of the most politically provocative, high tension moments of the Jerusalem year. 10/

For two days now, major clashes have rocked East Jerusalem as Israeli police use tear gas, stun grenades, sponge tipped bullets, and skunk water against protestors, some of whom threw stones and fireworks at police. Hundreds of Palestinians have been injured. 11/

Our thoughts are with the safety of all residents of Jerusalem during this difficult time. Especially with those Palestinians facing eviction in Sheikh Jarrah. All responsible parties, especially Israeli authorities, must do all they can to prevent violence. 13/