Hebrew University to displace Palestinian families

The Al-Helou family is among seven families whose houses are trapped among the university dormitory buildings. They have lived in this area, called Ard Al-Samar, since 1948 when they were forced out of the Jerusalem village of Lifta with the establishment of the Jewish state. The villagers sought safety and new residence in Ard Al-Samar, a part of the Lifta land. After the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem began in 1967, their land has been confiscated time and again by the university to build student dorms. The dormitory buildings have been closing in on the families, who are now confined in small pockets of land surrounded by the fences.

The Al-Helou family, together with their neighbors Abu Leil and Taha families, tried frantically to prevent the confiscation by sitting in the path of the bulldozers. They also called the police for help. However, when the police arrived they joined the armed guards and began attacking the families. Everyone, including old people, women and children, were brutally beaten and suffocated by tear gas. Two people were hospitalized: Hasan Al-Helou (86 years old) beaten to unconsciousness, and Rami Taha (16 years old) with a fractured arm. Three people were arrested: Salah Al-Helou (48 years old), his son Raouf (24 years old), and Ali Al-Helou (40 years old). The family believes that the soldiers broke Ali's immobile arm, a disability since his birth, by forcing it to bend at the back when they put on handcuffs.

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http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article3361.shtml