British Foreign Office concerned over 'radical settler activities' in E. Jerusalem

Elad settlers took possession of residential building in Silwan last week; residents have blamed group for what they say are careless excavations.'

By Haaretz

The British Foreign Office is concerned that the Israel Antiquities Authority is supporting "radical settler activities" in and around the Old City of Jerusalem while purporting to promote tourism or protect Jewish historical artifacts, The Independent quoted Joyce Anelay, a Conservative Foreign Office minister, as saying.

“We are aware of the link between the Elad [settler] group and the Israel Antiquities Authority. We are concerned that this link has led to Israel Antiquities Authority’s support of radical settler activities in and around the Old City under the guise of tourism and protection of Jewish history,” Anelay said. “Such actions not only aggravate mounting pressures in East Jerusalem but serve to increase tension around the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif and further complicate future attempts to negotiate a political resolution on the city.”

Last week, settlers from the right-wing organization Elad-City of David Foundation took possession of a residential building in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, just south of the Old City, removing the possessions of a resident while she was reporting to the police station in response to a summons.

The building's location is thought to be of particular importance to Elad, due to its close proximity to the City of David national archaeological park that the organization administers and to other homes that the group owns.

Over the past two decades, Elad has changed Silwan nearly beyond recognition, transforming it into a mixed neighborhood with at least 100 Jewish families.

Silwan residents have previously blamed Elad for the partial collapse of a channel dug for archaeological excavations near the village mosque. Elad manages the City of David National Park, which is in Silwan, and funds many of the archaeological excavations carried out in the area by the Israel Antiquities Authority.

There have been a number of collapses in the neighborhood, and residents claim the reason is digs that are conducted carelessly. Elad says infrastructure problems and illegal construction are the cause of the cracks and some of the collapses.

A year ago, the Jerusalem District Court approved an agreement to give Elad control of the Jerusalem Archaeological Park and the Davidson Center, which includes the entire southern section of the Western Wall.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.648456