Nahlat Shimon neighborhood
Nahlat Shimon neighborhoodIsrael news photo: Flash 90
Shabbat services will be held by Jewish residents of the Nahlat Shimon (Sheikh Jarrah) neighborhood of Jerusalem this weekend in protest of the harassment of local Jews by foreign anti-Israel activists.



Nearly half a year ago, under a court order, police evacuated Arabs who had been illegally squatting in Jewish-owned homes in the mixed neighborhood. Since then, foreign anti-Israel activists have harassed Jewish residents and have encouraged local Arabs to do the same.



In response, community activists have begun to organize solidarity Shabbat services to strengthen the resistance of local Jews to the provocation of the foreigners. Last week’s services drew a crowd of one hundred and fifty people.



One Nahlat Shimon resident, Shlomo Zalman Korman, told Israel National News that it pleases the local residents to see such wide support for the Jewish neighborhood. “We urge the public that loves the land of Israel to come and express solidarity with the Jewish residents of this Jerusalem neighborhood.”



Next week, in honor of the eight day Chanukah festival, candle lighting ceremonies will take place in Nahlat Shimon and will be attended by leading rabbis, members of parliament and public figures in the struggle for Jewish sovereignty over a united Jerusalem.