The Atta’a Assistance Center for the Rights of Palestinian Residents (also see its internet site) has been striving to help all Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem since 2004. For some time, in addition to its web site and Facebook page, and in addition to (pre-COVID-19) regular workshops and lectures, Atta’a provided one-on-one assistance at three centers around Jerusalem: Sur Baher, Wadi Joz and Beit Hanina.
For some time, Atta’a has sought to expand into the neighborhood of Issawiya. Now, despite, or maybe because of the additional complexities brought upon us by the coronavirus crisis, Atta’a was finally able to open a branch there.
Photograph of Issawiya, Photo credit here
Issawiya is a complicated neighborhood, with many many problems. It is a Palestinian neighborhood in Jerusalem located on Mt. Scopus, with approximately 20,000 Palestinian residents. It was part of the territory conquered in Jerusalem by Israeli forces during the Six Day War. The village falls under the jurisdiction of the Jerusalem municipality and its citizens have the status of permanent residents in Jerusalem.
In Issawiyah the housing is crowded, infrastructure is poor, and few residents have full access to the rights guaranteed them by international law. Their daily life continues to be disrupted by closures, restriction on movement, hostile police raids and use of excessive force. Since the summer of 2019, needs have become even more urgent in Issawiya. Unrest and friction between neighborhood residents and the ‘Israeli establishment’ – Municipality, police, etc. – have been the source of a great deal of tension. For example, the local community center, which is operated by the Municipality, was set on fire, since it is seen as a symbol of the Zionist occupying forces. Schools were closed, and children are questioned.
So, despite all the the extra pressure Atta’a is under because of the coronavirus crisis, it opened up a branch in Issawiya in August. It is located in a ‘neutral’ area of the neighborhood, which is accepted by everyone and enables everyone to feel safe going there. It is open for 3 hours a week, as coronavirus restrictions allow, and also receives Whatsapp messages to coordinate in advance.
Many thanks to the Jerusalem Foundation and the Rayne Foundation for its ongoing support of Atta’a, and to the Jerusalem Model and the Bader Philanthropies for their support of our emergency activities in East Jerusalem in response to COVID-19.
