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Har Homa construction is especially provocative. Built in the 1990s, it's the most recent Jewish neighborhood across the Green Line. It's the only East Jerusalem one Palestinians refused to let remain on Israel's side after the city was divided.
Critics say expanding it destroys chances for peace and a two-state solution. It disconnects Bethlehem and Jerusalem permanently. At issue is excluding Palestinians entirely from East Jerusalem. Israel wants it exclusively for its capital. Ethnic cleansing assures it unless Palestinians resist.
Acre's Arab residents faced harsh discrimination for years. In March, tenders were issued for 200 housing units for Orthodox Jews. At issue is changing the community's character. Expressing concern, one resident said:
"We are talking about a veteran population in Acre, both Jews and Arabs, who do not have housing solutions. In the Old City, they are selling to the wealthy. And outside, the new neighborhoods are for a certain population, career army people and Sabbath-observers, and there is nothing to offer us."
Others call it unacceptable discrimination based on religion and ethnicity. Jews are advantaged. Arabs are shut out. Other communities are affected the same way.
On April 5, Al Haq said two undercover "Israeli agents" shot three Rammoun Palestinian brothers multiple times outside their family home. Despite treatment, one died. It was cold-blooded murder.
The following day, an Israeli intelligence officer claimed one brother tried to stab a soldier. He lied. The two Israelis wore civilian clothes. They were loitering suspiciously outside the family home at 2AM. One brother alerted the others.
Area residents mainly raise sheep and cattle. In recent years, they've been victimized by theft. The brothers thought their flock was at risk. When they came out to check, they were shot. Israel said the incident will be investigated. Whitewash follows every time.
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