Modern Zionists Reclaim Jerusalem

The neighborhood of Silwan in eastern Jerusalem was a predominantly Yemenite Jewish area until 1938, when the British forced the Yemenite Jews out of their homes instead of protecting them. Now Jews are starting to reclaim the area.

By Atara Beck, United with Israel

Although it is well-documented, the fact that the Old City of Jerusalem has had a Jewish majority since the mid-19th century is not universally recognized. Considering the ongoing peace negotiations, including discussion on the future of Jerusalem, Daniel Luria, executive director of the Jewish Reclamation Project, or Jerusalem Chai, discussed the importance of understanding the history of Judaism’s holiest city, which was declared the capital of Israel by King David 3,000 years ago.

The non-profit organization was established 34 years ago on the festival of Chanukah (which falls this year on Wednesday evening, November 27) by Israel Defense Forces veteran Matityahu HaCohen Dan, whose dream was to restore thriving Jewish communities in and surrounding the Old City.

Jerusalem, Luria explained, was never an Arab or Muslim capital; rather, it was a “backwater for most of Arab history.” Other than the Dome of the Rock, a holy site to Muslims, Jerusalem has no major Islamic significance, he explained.

He quoted late British writer Christopher Sykes, who stated: “There is a profound difference between Jerusalem and Mecca or Medina,” as far as Islam in concerned.

Jews have been living in Jerusalem almost continuously for two millennia, leaving only when driven out. During the British Mandate, for example, there were three sets of pogroms against Jews, which took place in 1920, 1928-1929 and 1936-1937.

The eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan was, until 1938, a predominantly Yemenite Jewish area known as Kfar Hashiloach, or the Old Yemenite Village, Luria said, pointing to evidence cited by Israeli historian Yehoshua Ben-Arieh. According to Luria, the British forced the Yemenite Jews out of their homes instead of protecting them. Like other sections of the city, it was renamed after taken over by the Arabs.

Jews who moved back there in recent years “are attacked by local Arabs on a daily basis,” Luria continued. “Whether it be Molotov cocktails or stones thrown at apartments or on the vehicle driving in and out of the neighborhood, these families are subject to ongoing hatred and Arab aggression.”

However, “these are very ideologically committed families who, like the pioneers of old, refuse to leave. These are the Zionist pioneers of this generation, and it will only be such dedication and strength of conviction that will send the right messages” to the enemies of Israel.

Many Jewish individuals in Israel and abroad have been purchasing homes in now-predominantly Arab neighborhoods in order to reclaim Jerusalem. However, the purchasing transactions remain strictly confidential, due to a law among Muslim Arabs in the area against selling property to a Jew, for which the penalty is death.

“Can you imagine if there was a law in the United States forbidding selling an apartment in New York to any particular group?” Luria states.

The most recent acquisition by Jewish concerns is Beit Volero, near Flowers Gate. It was named after Rabbi Yaakov Volero, the first banker of Jerusalem who lived there in the mid-19th century and was respected by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, Luria said. “His private residence was sold before the pogroms heated up but was re-purchased by Jews 22 years ago. Jerusalem Chai is trying to obtain funding to renovate the premises in order to accommodate yeshiva students and families.”

Luria, who hails from Melbourne, is completely devoted to this project, which focuses on strengthening Jewish roots in Jerusalem through educational institutes. He told United with Israel: “My body was in Australia for 30 years and finally connected with my soul in Israel 18 years ago.”