Left: Sherkessi Villa of Palestinian entrepreneur, Ibrahim Haqqi, in Qatamon, #Jerusalem 1930
Right: The villa today as the headquarters of the Zionist "International Christian Embassy Jerusalem."
In 1948, Zionist militias attacked Qatamon, forcing its Christian population out
2\ The Sherkessi villa was 1 of the most luxurious Palestinian villas in #Jerusalem; with unique architecture & captivating beauty.
When Israel was founded, the owner & his 7 kids were permanently made refugees in Jordan.
They have not been able to even visit since 1948.
3\ The owner's eldest son, Hani, keeps a portrait of his father's "Sherkessi Villa" at his home.
Returning was his mother Qudsiya's dream, a native of #Jerusalem.
He remembers every little detail in the house; his parents room; the washing area; the fountain..
He can't return!
4\ Hani says a relative of theirs with an Austrian citizenship tried to visit the Villa some years ago & take pictures of it.
When the new Israeli occupants learned he was a family member of the original owner, they kicked him out.
5\ While #Israel itself put a plaque acknowledging the villa's original owner, Israel does NOT allow Haqqi's family to reclaim their property.
Israeli law only gives Jewish Israelis the right to reclaim #Jerusalem properties owned before 1948, even if they were compensated.
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