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Jerusalem Palestinians Face Neglect, Displacement

A recent $1 billion Arab League pledge is not expected to go far in a city that is severely neglected and devoid of political representation, reports Jihan Abdalla.
Israeli police officers look as an excavator demolishes a house in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Beit Hanina February 5, 2013. A statement from the Jerusalem Municipality said there was a court order for the demolition of the house, which was built without a permit in an open landscape area where construction is forbidden. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST BUSINESS CONSTRUCTION) - RTR3DDS4

JERUSALEM — Once the political, social and commercial hub for Palestinians, Jerusalem has slowly disintegrated into an isolated, neglected and impoverished city as Israel continues to tighten its grip on the Holy City.

Cut off from adjacent Palestinian cities in the occupied West Bank by Israeli army checkpoints and a separation barrier, residents of east Jerusalem say they struggle to protect their livelihoods and presence in the city.

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