Israel Hayom reported that Arabs in Jaffa have been protesting the renovation of a nonprofit homeless shelter at a location where a 18th-century Muslim cemetery was discovered, and on Saturday night additional arson attempts were reported in the neighborhood.
Seven trash cans, two cars, a truck, and nearby trees were burned to the ground in the latest explosion of violence. The burning of a truck in the morning caused extensive damage to cars in the area. The incidents were reported to local police and is being investigated.
Rioters also attempted to burn down a building belonging to the Tel Aviv municipality, throwing a bottle filled with burning fuel into one of its windows.
The discovery of the Ottoman-era cemetery, known in Arabic as Maqbarat al-Is’aaf, two years ago came as a surprise to city authorities since it was vacated in 1916 when the administration decided to remove it for sanitary reasons and to allow the urban development of the area. The cemetery had been forgotten until the Tel Aviv Development Fund decided to construct an improvised homeless shelter at the location.
Israel's Antiquities Authority claimed that remains found in the area dated back all the way to the Hellenistic period. While the city petitioned work to continue, the Islamic Council, which is active in local affairs and known for its connections to the Hamas terrorist group, asked the Supreme Court to halt the construction with the Court acquiescing.
The legal battle came to an end in January 2020, when a Tel Aviv court rejected claims by the Council to preserve the area, stating that the cemetery had not been used by the community for at least 100 years, and had been a public space since at least the 1940's without any legal objections. It also stated that none of the plaintiffs could claim a personal or familial connection to the remains. Moreover, the judge pointed out that while maintaining the dignity of and respect for religious sentiments was important, the property owner's right and project of public significance were also to be taken into consideration.
"The project’s construction is a response to public need, and uses land which has not be used as a cemetery for over 100 years, and the Muslim community never before treated it as possessing holiness or having a religious affinity," Cohen wrote.
The United States Embassy in Jerusalem issued a warning on Saturday, June 13, to US citizens in Israel, urging them to exercise caution while visiting Jaffa due to riots by local Arabs.
"Protests continue this evening near the Clock Tower and throughout the city of Jaffa. Protests may turn violent to include vandalism, rock throwing, burning of tires, vehicles, and fire bombs. Embassy personnel have been advised to maintain situational awareness and avoid the area tonight."
"The Embassy strongly encourages US citizens to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness, as security incidents often take place without warning," read the statement.
The riots followed an incident in which IDF forces shot an autistic Arab youth in Jerusalem following warnings of a terror threat in the area in late May.