Gaza: Israeli occupation forces intensified military measures in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem, restricting the movement of local residents. Concurrently, colonists entered the so-called Tomb of Simon the Righteous to conduct prayers and Talmudic rituals.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, checkpoints were established by Israeli forces in the neighborhood, which is now heavily patrolled with military vehicles and iron barriers, blocking entry to certain streets and disrupting daily activities for the residents. Additionally, a large tent was set up near the claimed tomb, where a noisy party took place, with men and women separated in another tent.
The Jerusalem Governorate issued a statement highlighting that the occupation is using religious claims about the cave to impose more restrictions on residents and to facilitate the colonists’ incursions without deterrence. This strategy aims to reinforce the colonial structure in the neighborhood, altering its historical and social character.
The statement also noted that Israeli claims regarding the so-called Tomb of Simon the Righteous lack historical or archaeological evidence. Historically, the site was known as the Cave of Sheikh Siddiq al-Saadi, acquired by him in 1733 and used as a Sufi retreat and meeting place. The governorate emphasized that no ancient Jewish figure associated with Zionist narratives ever used the site.
The governorate stressed that the occupation employs religious claims to justify its colonial policies, while the situation on the ground reflects a systematic strategy to control the neighborhood and gradually displace its residents. The Palestinian historical narrative, supported by documents, Sharia courts, and original Jerusalemite family ownership, is the most reliable reference, backed by UNESCO and international resolutions.