Jerusalemites open a library in Sheikh Jarrah in tribute to demolished bookstore in Gaza

Record ID: 1621292

  • Title: Jerusalemites open a library in Sheikh Jarrah in tribute to demolished bookstore in Gaza
  • Date: 15th June 2021
  • Summary: JERUSALEM (JUNE 9, 2021) (REUTERS) SIGN READING (Arabic): "SAMIR MANSOUR LIBRARY - DESTROYED IN GAZA ON MAY 18, 2021 AND REBUILT IN SHEIKH JARRAH NEIGHBOURHOOD IN JERUSALEM ON MAY 19, 2021" YOUNG GIRL READING BOOK WHILE OTHERS ORGANIZE SMALL BOOK STALL YOUNG MAN READING BOOK SMALL LIBRARY NEAR HOUSES OF PALESTINIANS WHO FACE EVICTION IN SHEIKH JARRAH / PEOPLE GATHERING / SIGNS ON WALL READING (Arabic): "WE ARE STAYING - WE WILL NOT LEAVE" VARIOUS OF RESIDENT OF SHEIKH JARRAH, MUNA AL-KURD, READING BOOK ONE OF THE LIBRARY’S FOUNDERS, AHMED AL-HINDI, HOLDING BOOKS YOUNG MAN ORGANISING BOOKS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ONE OF THE LIBRARY’S FOUNDERS, AHMED AL-HINDI, SAYING: "The war on Gaza strip mainly happened due to the situation in Sheikh Jarrah and the displacement of people; which also caused the demolition of Samir Mansour library and the Gaza strip. So, in tribute to the people of Gaza and to Samir Mansour library, we opened this library under the name of Samir Mansour." YOUNG MEN GATHERING AT LIBRARY BANNER READING (Arabic): "WE WILL NOT LEAVE" VARIOUS OF YOUNG WOMAN READING BOOK VARIOUS OF YOUNG WOMEN LOOKING AT BOOKS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) VISITOR, TALA OBEID, SAYING: "I visited the library because I know how valuable it is, not only for us but also for the people of Gaza. I felt it is important for us to be here constantly to borrow books and to remind everyone that we are one nation in Gaza, Jerusalem and everywhere. We think about each other." GAZA CITY, GAZA (JUNE 3, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SAMIR MANSOUR, STANDING NEAR HIS DESTROYED LIBRARY WHICH WAS HIT BY ISRAELI AIR STRIKE DAMAGE IN THE LIBRARY / BURNT BOOKS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OWNER OF SAMIR MANSOUR LIBRARY DESTROYED BY ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE, SAMIR MANSOUR, SAYING: "When they opened the library in Sheikh Jarrah, I sent them books that I wrote and were in Ramallah to support this library. We will support it and hope that it will be a big library in Sheikh Jarrah." MANSOUR SHOWING BOOKS UNDER RUBBLE BOOKS AND RUBBLE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OWNER OF SAMIR MANSOUR LIBRARY DESTROYED BY ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE, SAMIR MANSOUR, SAYING: "Some employees who work with me, called me during (the war) and asked me to turn the library into a shelter to take their children because the library was supposed to be the safest place." DAMAGED LIBRARY MANSOUR PICKING BOOKS UP DAMAGE AT SITE
  • Embargoed: 29th June 2021 14:39
  • Keywords: Gaza Israel Library Palestinians Sheikh Jarrah
  • Location: JERUSALEM / GAZA CITY, GAZA
  • City: JERUSALEM / GAZA CITY, GAZA
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: Middle East,Human Interest/Brights/Odd News,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA001EHIJSD1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah opened a 'Samir Mansour' book-reading corner in the neighbourhood in tribute to a library with the same name which was destroyed in the Gaza Strip during 11 days of intense fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.
    They decided to open a small library to provide several books to families in Sheikh Jarrah and their supporters.
    Young people expressed their joy in having this corner at Nabil's Kurd yard. They say the small corner represents unity between Palestinians in Jerusalem, Gaza and elsewhere.
    Samir Mansour library was home to 15 employees, some of whom thought of turning it into a shelter during the bombardment.
    "The library was supposed to be the safest place," Samir Mansour who owns the library said.
    Mansour picked up books through piles of rubble to keep as remembrance, including those which were torn and burnt.
    Israel gave advance warning of the air strike, the building's owners said.
    In October last year, an Israeli court ruled in favour of settlers who say Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah are living on land that used to belong to Jews. Palestinians are appealing the decision at Israel's Supreme Court.
    But a court hearing was delayed earlier in May amid rising tensions at Sheikh Jarrah - which lies just a few minutes' walk from the Old City's Damascus Gate, another recent flashpoint.
    Anger over the proposed evictions was a key factor behind tensions in Jerusalem over the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which escalated far beyond the holy city into the worst hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians for years.
    The militant Islamist group Hamas launched a rocket assault on Israel, which hit back with multiple air and artillery strikes on Gaza.
    The eleven days of fighting ended on Friday (May 21) with a ceasefire, which appears to be holding.
    (Production: Roleen Tafakji, Sinan Abu Mayzer, Mohammed Shanna)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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