Peace Now

19/06/2026

Jerusalem Municipality Takes Over Greek Orthodox Church Land in Silwan

On Monday, June 15, Jerusalem Municipality staff, accompanied by police and heavy machinery, entered land owned by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Silwan. They removed equipment and structures, destroyed crops, and installed a fence. Work continued in the days that followed.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate filed an urgent lawsuit seeking an injunction to halt the work and compensation for damages to Church property. At a hearing on Thursday at the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, the municipality stated it was acting under a municipal bylaw and a “gardening order” issued for the parcel in January 2025. The court did not issue an injunction but gave the parties one week to continue discussions. Link in comments.

18/06/2026

US policymakers are finally pushing for transparency about how much Israel is spending on settlements.

Read more in Haaretz: https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2026-06-12/ty-article/.premium/democrats-press-for-transparency-on-settlement-funding-in-u-s-loans-program/0000019e-bc80-d80f-a59f-ffe7d9a10000?gift=6e6ffb4a542b4b609ab54056ef2e3489

18/06/2026

Jewish National Fund - USA Jewish National Fund of Canada, NJF can still stop this eviction.

The Shaludi family has lived in the same home in Silwan, East Jerusalem, for more than 60 years. They have now been ordered to leave by June 24, following legal action by Himanuta, a subsidiary of KKL-JNF.

The house is located in the City of David area, where the settler organization Elad has sought for years to expand its presence.

KKL-JNF is the plaintiff in this case. It can still withdraw the eviction proceedings or negotiate an agreement that would allow the family to remain in their home. Link to our report and to Haaretz.com story in the comment

17/06/2026

After Israel revoked the Palestinian Planning Authority, it approved new construction in Hebron. This move shows how Israel enforces a system in the West Bank where Israeli Jews have rights Palestinians do not. Removing the Palestinian planning authority and allowing a large new settlement in the center of Hebron's Kasbah is part of a wider annexation policy. This policy could lead to more conflict and violence. More details at the link in the comments:

17/06/2026

The banality of evil: Settlers graze their sheep inside a Palestinian faqous (a type of cucumber) plot. Sinjil, not far from the Shilo settlement.

16/06/2026

After pledging victory but failing to achieve it, Smotrich is setting the West Bank ablaze. On June 10, Israel's Higher Planning Council took over planning authority from the Palestinian Municipality of Hebron for Israeli settlements and religious sites in the city center. This change lets settlement and infrastructure projects proceed without Palestinian approval. Link to our analysis in the comments.

15/06/2026

With our partners, we had a small "win" today in our fight against E1. Listen to Michael Sfard who leads our legal fight. Thank you for standing with us. Ir Amim

15/06/2026

The Sarhan family has lived in the Batan al-Hawa area of Silwan for over 60 years. In 1961, when Silwan and East Jerusalem were under Jordanian rule, the family patriarch bought land in Batan al-Hawa and built a home there.

Over the years, the family built four houses where Sarhan family members, their children, and grandchildren lived without any problems.

In 2015, representatives of the settler group Ateret Cohanim sued the families. They said they represented a Jewish trust that owned the land over a century ago and wanted the families removed from their homes.

In December 2025, the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court accepted the settlers' eviction claim, ruled the properties belonged to the Jewish trust, and ordered the Sarhan family to vacate them.

In February 2026, the Jerusalem District Court rejected the family's appeal. The Supreme Court has now dismissed their request to appeal without holding a hearing. Link in comments.

This week, the Supreme Court summarily rejected a request for leave to appeal filed by dozens of members of the Sarhan family, ruling that they must vacate their homes in Silwan in favor of the settlers.

13/06/2026

'With this letter, Congress is asking a simple question: How much is being spent to sabotage the possibility of a two-state solution?'

Rep. Joaquin Castro, Who Signed the Call, Accused the State Department of 'Effectively Covering Up the Expansion of These Settlements That Are an Impediment to Peace.' The CEO of New Jewish Narrative Said, 'With This Letter, Congress Is Asking a Simple Question: How Much Is Being Spent to Sabotage t...

12/06/2026

Together with hundreds of Palestinian and Jewish members from various organizations, we marched in solidarity with the residents of Khan al-Ahmar against the government's eviction decision. This initiative is led by the 'Peace Partnership' coalition. Read more about the decision via the link in the comments.