Court Hears Al-Qassam Cemetery Dispute Amid Land Claim
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
An Israeli court is hearing a case concerning the Al-Qassam cemetery in Nesher, east of Haifa, where a company claims ownership of parts of the land. The custodian of endowments and local residents are fighting the claim, asserting historical rights. A recent hearing questioned the company's representative, with the defense highlighting historical contradictions and the cemetery's long-standing significance. Arab leaders are calling for broader action and international attention to protect the cemetery.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- An Israeli court is hearing a dispute over the Al-Qassam cemetery in Nesher, east of Haifa.
- An Israeli company claims ownership of parts of the cemetery land, facing opposition from residents and custodians.
- Lawyer Samar Qadha is defending the cemetery, noting contradictions in the company's claims.
- Residents and Arab leaders are protesting the land claims and calling for broader action.
- The cemetery is located on the lands of the depopulated Sheikh village.
A legal battle is ongoing in Israeli courts over the Al-Qassam cemetery in Nesher, located on the lands of the depopulated village of Sheikh east of Haifa. The dispute involves an Israeli company claiming ownership of parts of the cemetery grounds, while the custodian of endowments and local residents assert their rights and reject any encroachment. A Haifa Magistrate's Court held a new hearing on Tuesday, questioning the company representative and the custodian of endowments' representative. Lawyer Samar Qadha, representing the cemetery and the custodian of endowments, is leading the defense.
Dozens of residents from Haifa and the surrounding area, including relatives of those buried in the cemetery, along with Arab leaders and figures, attended the hearing to show support and protest attempts to seize the cemetery land. Qadha stated that the questioning revealed contradictions in the company's claims. The defense team firmly rejected the land ownership claims, emphasizing the cemetery's long history and the decades-old graves. Further hearings are expected.
Fuad Abu Qamar, a custodian of the Haifa Independence Endowment, told "Arab 48" that the cemetery has faced repeated attempts at takeover, but these have been thwarted by the custodians' adherence to their rights and legal recourse. He affirmed that the defense of the cemetery will continue, stressing that the graves belong to established families and that no harm will be permitted.
Yousef Jabareen, head of the Joint List, described the targeting of Al-Qassam cemetery as part of ongoing, decades-long efforts. He credited popular movements and residents' stances with successfully resisting these attempts. Jabareen called for escalating the issue to international forums and unifying efforts among Arab bodies, including popular committees and the Follow-up Committee, in cooperation with Haifa and other Arab towns. He emphasized that the cemetery's case transcends legal aspects, touching on identity and rights, and requires collective action.