During their second visit to the Middle East in October 2010, the Elders travelled to East Jerusalem to see first-hand the extent of settlement expansion into Arab neighbourhoods. Mary Robinson, Ela Bhatt and Jimmy Carter heard from Palestinian residents and activists who face being evicted, deported or having their homes demolished.

On the date marking one year since the start of weekly demonstrations in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah, The Elders joined the largely Israeli crowd who gather each Friday to oppose their government’s actions. From the centre of the peaceful crowd, Jimmy Carter spoke to the demonstrators and praised their courage and resolve.