Tourk was born in Ajami six years after the War of Independence. All the rest of my family ran away, and most of them went to Gaza and the West Bank. My father and mother were the only ones in the family who stayed. Don't get the wrong idea - my house isn't representative of Ajami. A lot of these places that look distinguished from the outside are ruins inside.
Cracks run up, down and along the walls, and look more like earthquake faults.
The roof beams are exposed, and not for aesthetic reasons. It feels dangerous to stand inside this home. Engaged, he plans to move his spouse in with the rest of his family, just like his brother and sister did. Ownership of, and responsibility for the building is divided between the Tel Aviv municipality and the Ariel public housing agency. He says the municipality has offered him and his family an alternative apartment if they move out, but he doesn't trust the authorities.