UNITED NATIONS - The eviction of Palestinian families from the predominantly Arab neighbourhood Sheik Jarrah in occupied east Jerusalem has drawn sharp condemnation from a senior UN envoy. UN Middle East envoy Robert Serry called Israels decision to evict the families and allow settlers to take possession of their properties unacceptable. He said the actions will only heighten tension and undermine efforts to achieve peace, the paper said. The eviction of the families began before dawn Sunday after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Jewish families who claimed ownership of the properties in an appeal submitted by the Nahalat Shimon International organization, according to media reports. The Arab families maintained that the Jewish families had falsified documents. Under a large security presence, the Arabs were evicted from their homes, and the new Jewish owners, also present, prepared to take possession of their properties. The paper said the Arab families had been served eviction notices several weeks ago. The properties are located near the Shepherds Hotel, which created headlines two weeks ago when the US State department advised Israel not to go ahead with plans by American millionaire Irving Moskowitz to build housing units for 20 Jewish families there. At the time, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu declared no one has the right to challenge Israels sovereignty over a united Jerusalem. In his statement, Serry said the evictions flout the united calls by the international community, including those by the diplomatic Quartet comprising the UN, the United States, the European Union and Russia. In a joint communiquT issued after a June meeting, the Quartet called on Israel to refrain from provocative actions in East Jerusalem, including home demolition and evictions. According to UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness, the evicted families belongings were loaded onto trucks and dumped at the edge of a busy Jerusalem road. Today, the UN agency helped the refugees - who lived in their houses for over half a century - recover their possessions, he said. Of the 53 people evicted, 20 are children and are reported to be particularly traumatized, Mr. Gunness said. Serry said in his statement that the UN rejects Israeli claims that the evictions are a matter for municipal and domestic courts, urging Israel to abide by international law and its obligations under the Roadmap plan for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace. Last week, he condemned the Israeli security forces takeover of a house in Sheikh Jarrah, noting that the recent upsurge in orders for house demolitions and evictions in East Jerusalem is contrary to the Roadmap. Any settlement activity in East Jerusalem is contrary to international law and cannot prejudice the outcome of negotiations.