Rewriting History: Silwan
Real Jstreets
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The Arab media whips up their ignorant masses to riot against Israel. Overnight riots started in Silwan, in September 2014, as a few Jews moved into houses that they had purchased in the City of David area.
But riots against Jews living in Silwan are not new.
For many years the area was called the Yemenite Village, as most of the Jewish residents were originally from Yemen. Because of Arab riots in 1936-1939 most of the Jews were forced to move out of their homes.
This yellow sign is at the entrance to Silwan, where these two Arab girls are walking from the Old City. It is only in Arabic. We will leave the apartheid issue alone, as to why can Jews should not be able to purchase Arab property and live in “Arab neighborhoods” while Arabs should be allowed into Jewish neighborhoods.
Back to the Jewish settlers of Silwan, bet you have not heard much of them, as it does not fit the PA narrative.
Remember no one was living outside of the Jerusalem Old City until well into the 19th century. It was dangerous to sleep outside of those huge stone walls. This photo of a Jewish funeral on the Mount of Olives shows the barren land.
Also, displayed in the Tower of David Museum during a special Medical Exhibit was this book.
In case you cannot read the small print
The Meyuhas family’s “Book of Remedies”
The Meyuhas family settled in Jerusalem in the 16th century and, in 1873, built their home in Kfar Silwan, outside the walls of the Old City. The family included rabbis and community leaders who left many essays and writings behind. In the family home, a thick medical book with information about drugs and remedies, amulets and healing rituals was preserved. The manuscript, written in cursive Hebrew was probably started at the end of the 18th century.
During the Independence War, the Meyuhas family left their home, and the book was faithfully guarded by their Arab neighbors. They returned it to Yosef Meyhaus after 1967.
The Meyuhas family had the family heirloom book returned. But their home? And the homes of other Jews who lived in Silwan and were forced out first in 1936? And the rest, in 1948 when Jordanians occupied the area and Arabs came in and took over all the houses.
Sliwan for decades was a mixed village.
Only because of Arab riots were Jews forced out of their homes. Now some Jews are returning. Will Arab riots once again be allowed to keep Jews out of the City of David?
Updated: September 6, 2015, Jewish families won court case and started to move into the building that was the former Silwan Synagogue. No riots reported. Yet.
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