Left-wing Israelis have been protesting against the eviction of Arab families from East Jerusalem for several weeks but on Friday their right-wing opponents threatened to turn up for the first time. Police prepared themselves for trouble.

The problems started last August when nationalist Jews won legal housing rights in the Shimon Hatzadik colony in Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, forcing Palestinian families out of their homes. Some of them had lived there for 50 years. Police initially said demonstrations in the area were only permitted when activists had been given a permit, but that decision was overturned by a court this week. Judges ruled the protests are legal as long as they don’t disturb public order or disrupt traffic.

Listen to an interview with David Poort in East Jerusalem

Hundreds of prominent liberal politicians have joined the protests in recent weeks, although many stayed away today for fear of legal action. More than 70 people have been arrested for their participation in the weekly gatherings, but our correspondent David Poort says the group doesn’t include Palestinians:

“The people I see in front of me are mainly from Tel Aviv, there are hardly any Palestinians taking part in these left-wing demonstrations because they’re afraid if they get arrested their papers will be withdrawn. Also, they’d be held up in jail for a very long time and whenever these Israeli activists get arrested they’re out the next day.”

Settlers have become increasingly critical of the protests in recent weeks, using social media to rally support. A Facebook group called “Supporters of the Residents of Shimon Hatzadik” – named after the Jewish religious leader buried nearby – attracted thousands of members.

“Together we’ll show that we won’t be deterred from praying or residing in any part of Jerusalem,” a message on the group’s noticeboard reads.