Young people affiliated with Palestinian Militant groups in the Shuafat refugee camp in East Jerusalem blocked roads between Saturday and Sunday and burned tires so that residents of the area could not leave for work outside the area. The events follow yesterday's announcement of a comprehensive strike and civil unrest due to an increased presence of Israeli Police since the attack at the Shuafat checkpoint in which Sergeant Asil Su'ad was killed. Most residents did not plan on joining the militants' call for a strike, which prompted a few to prevent residents from leaving the area.
Asil Su’ad, a Bedouin and resident of Hosniyah in the Galilee, was killed on Monday last week during a bus inspection after being stabbed by a 13-year-old Palestinian terrorist who was a resident of the Shuafat refugee camp. In response to the attack, large police forces of the Israeli Jerusalem District and the Border Guard arrived at the scene and closed the crossing to traffic. A situation assessment was held on the spot, and sometime after that forces entered Shuafat and arrested suspects and wanted people in the neighborhood. Among others, the terrorist's parents and brother were arrested.
⚠️Clashes resumed in Shuafat, north to #Jerusalem, as rioters are trying to block from locals to leave for their works in #Israel pic.twitter.com/adD32I2uOm
— russia is a terrorist state🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@ignis_fatum) February 19, 2023
The organizers of the march are acting on behalf of "National and Islamic Forces", a group that was established shortly after the outbreak of the second intifada with the approval of Yasser Arafat, and was headed by Marwan Barghouti. It coordinates the agenda of its members and helps plan and implement joint political actions against Israel. Still, since the election of Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen in 2005, it has been far less active. The group includes the Palestine Liberation Organization, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
The protesters, working on behalf of the various terrorist organizations, used tires, garbage cans, and other objects in various key exit points of East Jerusalem to stop any fellow residents from heading to work. Under the guidance of the Jerusalem Police district commander, Superintendent Doron Turgeman, forces worked with the local authority teams to open the roadblocks and apprehend those who were causing the chaos. At the same time, this morning there was a fight between those troublemakers and other Arab residents who wanted to go to work, which was handled by the police.
neighborhoods, including Jabel Mukabar, Isawiya, and Anata, have joined the protest, with some residents going on strike (2/2)
— AbuAliEnglish (@AbuAliEnglishB1) February 19, 2023
In the comments seen in the closed messaging groups of the residents of the refugee camp, a student wrote: "I have to go to university, I have an important test today." In response, the organizers replied to him that since he does not work, he can leave the refugee camp. He answered: "You shut down all transportation while trying to sell as nationalistic slogans." Another East Jerusalem resident and mother wrote: "You are closing the way to workers who earn 300 NIS a day, this is significant for their livelihood."
