The West African Community in Jerusalem: process of settlement and local integration

Résumé

People of West African (W.A.) origin living in the Old City of Jerusalem
make up one of the most marginalized and minoritized communities in
city. In terms of their socio-economic
history, they used to represent one
of the largest ethnic groups in Jerusalem before the1948 War. In the Old
City1, West African nationals have mostly been categorized as custodians and
guardians of holy sites and schools2. However, their socio-economic
profile
is far more complex. They are involved in many different kinds of economic
activities and are settled in both, the urban centers and rural villages. The
peak of their migration took place during the colonial period in Africa, and
the majority of them have now been permanently settled for over a century.
They interact with other ethnic groups on a daily basis and share many
common socio-economic
concerns with their neighbors due to economic
and political turbulence in the city. However, they also face unique problems
with regard to their historical background and status.