When Israeli police and bulldozers arrived in al-Bustan early on Nov. 5, few residents expected them to go to Fakhri Abu Diab's home. The retired accountant was the neighborhood's most prominent resident and de facto spokesman, leading a two-decade effort to protect local homes from demolition. The demolition of his home sent shockwaves through the community, and officials demonstrated a ruthless intent: ‘No one is safe’ in these neighborhoods, residents expressed.
As residents watched the shocking scene unfold, it wasn't just Abu Diab's home that fell but the entire spirit of their community. Qutaiba Odeh, the director of the Al-Bustan Association, reflected on this stark reality, saying, 'It's to send a message to the neighborhood...To say, 'We're coming. You're done.' This signifies a profound undermining of safety among Palestinians in East Jerusalem, leaving a significant impact on their sense of belonging and security.
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