Settlers take over historic Al-Basha property in Jerusalem
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Six Palestinian families forcibly evicted.
- 'Israeli' flags raised after takeover.
- Eight-year legal battle ends with court ruling.
'Israeli' settlers took possession of the historic Al-Basha family property in the Old City of Jerusalem after an 'Israeli' court issued a ruling mandating the eviction of six Jerusalemite families residing in the building.
The court decision brings an end to an eight-year legal battle during which the family sought to defend its rights against claims filed through the 'Israeli' judicial system and affiliated settler organizations.
Physical changes imposed on traditional Jerusalemite architecture
Located at the intersection of Al-Wad and Al-Bargooq streets, the Al-Basha property is a historic building constructed from traditional Jerusalem stone with heritage windows and doors.
The Al-Basha family has lived in and maintained the property for nearly a century before last week's forced eviction, which was carried out under pre-1948 ownership claims.
Following the execution of the eviction order, settlers replaced the building's locks, placed 'Israeli' flags across its front facade, and affixed a religious mezuzah to the doorways.
Historical timeline
The history of the property dates back to the 1930s, when the upper floor of its western section housed a synagogue named "Torat Chaim," currently leased to the "Ateret Cohanim" settler organization.
In the early 20th century, the original Jewish owner placed the eastern section up for public auction due to accumulated debts, whereupon Jerusalemite Jawdat Abdul Ghani Al-Basha purchased it, officially documenting the transaction in court and land registry (Tabu) records during the 1940s.
During the 1948 war, departing synagogue occupants left an official document entrusting Jawdat Al-Basha with the keys and religious books for safekeeping until their return, a trust the family maintained for decades.
However, settler groups later initiated legal proceedings demanding the full evacuation of the building, claiming ownership of the eastern section on behalf of Rabbi Yitzhak Winograd.
The legal proceedings escalated when the 'Israeli' General Custodian department joined as a primary plaintiff against 13 members of the Al-Basha family and several tenants.
Operating in coordination with the "Benvenisti Trust," the General Custodian managed the property under claims of pre-1948 Jewish ownership, placing the burden of proof on the Palestinian defense team to contest official state documentation.
