There is a war against the renewal of Jewish life in Jerusalem’s Old City and surrounding neighborhoods. In fact, there is an official fatwa (religious decree) from the PA barring Arab Muslims from selling land or houses to Jews.  The punishment for breaking this law is death.

“Palestine is kharaj land (i.e., land belonging to Muslims) and a waqf (i.e., an inalienable religious endowment in Islamic law; see note below) which, according to Shari’ah law, it is forbidden to sell its lands and its properties or facilitate its transfer to enemies. This is because in terms of Shari’ah law it is considered a public Islamic property and not private property…”

[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 25, 2022]

With all of the threats the PA makes to Arabs not  to sell houses or land to Jews, it is important to understand the impact the Ateret Cohanim organization has had throughout the years. Literally defying the full force of the PA’s threats as well as world pressure, Ateret Cohanim has succeeded in facilitating the acquisition of many buildings throughout the Old City and the Shiloach (what the world erroneously calls Silwan). 

This past year alone has been a watershed year for Ateret Cohanim, as it facilitated the acquisition of three massive buildings on the top of the Shiloach.  These buildings begin the arduous plan to create continuity from the Shiloach to Maale Zeitim, another Ateret Cohanim project.  The newest project, called Ramat HaShiloach, holds commanding views of the entire City of David, Kidron Valley, Temple Mount, and the Shiloach.  Furthermore it more than doubled the amount of Jewish families living in the Shiloach from 15 to 42 in one year.

Besides the Shiloach, two homes in the Old Jewish Quarter (today’s Muslim Quarter) need serious renovations in order to enable more Jewish families to move into the area. Beit Gita’s downstairs as well as another apartment in Beit Dolgin both need to be completely renovated before two families can move in.  Both of these buildings are minutes from the Flowers Gate.

Every new project Ateret Cohanim facilitates and develops needs ongoing support.  From security to children’s activities, these pioneering young families are paratroopers of our generation and need the Jewish people to back them. On their backs and actions, a united Jerusalem rests and it is this cause that should call all of us to find ways to support.

While it is already after Jerusalem Day, you can still help by being part of the active rejuvenation of Jewish life in the Old City and its surrounding neighborhoods.

Click here to help.