Israel’s Top Court Postpones Palestinian Eviction Hearing Amid Jerusalem Violence

Israel's High Court of Justice postponed Sunday a hearing on the planned evictions of three Palestinian families from their homes in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah at the request of Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit.

The hearing was slated for Monday, which is also Jerusalem Day, usually celebrated with a flag march led by religious-Zionist youth around the Old City wall, and this year is expected to intensify the tensions in the city amid the recent violence between Israel Police and Palestinians.

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– Jerusalem, united in violence, marks bloody anniversary today. LISTEN

Jerusalem, united in violence, marks bloody anniversary today. LISTEN

High Court Justice Yitzhak Amit said that a date for the hearing would be set within 30 days, adding that the Palestinian families will remain in their homes until the court reaches a decision. 

Minutes before the court had announced its decision to delay the hearing, Mendelblit requested a two-week deferral, so he might weigh taking part in the case.

Earlier Sunday, the attorneys representing the families from Sheikh Jarrah, Sami Arshid and Salah Abu Hussein, formally requested to involve the attorney general in the proceedings due to the political and legal implications this case may have.