Palestinian family claims fraud in settler buy of Jerusalem landmarks

JERUSALEM (AFP) -- A Palestinian family has gone to court claiming fraud over the partial purchase of two landmark East Jerusalem properties, including the home of the Palestinian national theater, by Jewish settlers.

The move is part of a growing battle over property in occupied East Jerusalem, where hardline Jewish settlers are seeking to expand their presence in the face of vehement opposition from the Palestinians, who want the city's eastern sector as capital of their future state.

The case surrounds two large buildings in the heart of East Jerusalem located very close to the famed American Colony boutique hotel in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

One houses Al-Hakawati, the Palestinian national theater, and the other is the Nuzha building, which is currently leased to a branch of Israel's Mercantile Bank and the offices of several law firms and human rights groups.

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