A well-known cultural influencer and bookseller in East Jerusalem says that the atmosphere in the region is tense and the Palestinians have been forced into a tight spot.
Teemu Juhola,
Mimmi Nietula
JERUSALEM The streets of East Jerusalem, inhabited by Palestinians, are quieter than usual. Many currently prefer to stay indoors.
A bookstore owner on Salah Ad-din street Mahmoud Muna is a well-known cultural influencer in East Jerusalem. He is the only one who these days wants to talk about the situation in the region publicly.
A man familiar with East Jerusalem and its residents says the atmosphere is now very tense.
– Palestinians are stopped in the streets and checked. Violence has occurred. Palestinians fear reprisal attacks by settlers.
– The Israeli army and police are harassing people in East Jerusalem more than ever before, claims Mahmoud Muna.
According to the cultural influencer, Palestinians should be careful.
– People are searched from their homes because of the opinions they express on social media. The army is monitoring the Palestinians by all possible means in East Jerusalem.
The mood is desperate
Bookseller Mahmoud Muna says racism has reared its head in the middle of the crisis.
– Racism against Palestinians has increased in recent weeks also among ordinary Israelis. There has even been racism in public places.
Muna describes the atmosphere in East Jerusalem as desperate.
– People are glued to their screens and they see more and more victims all the time. People are very very tired and angry. They experience hopelessness and helplessness.
– All we can do is watch the events on our phones.
Mahmoud Muna has friends in Gaza.
– I just asked one of my friends if he is okay. He said nothing is right but he is alive. It is difficult to respond to such a message.