Jerusalem: Is there a convincing and valid solution?
Both Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have agreed to the concept of a two state solution based on the borders of June 4, 1967. As such, Jerusalem has taken on central importance for all involved. However, with the expiration of Israel’s ten month settlement moratorium, Israel’s construction of settlements is making a two state solution with a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem increasingly improbable. Finding a solution to the issue of Jerusalem is central to the establishment of a Palestinian state and future peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
While more than half of Israeli citizens are ready to live with a functional division of Jerusalem, Israeli Knesset member Daniel Ben Simon explained that Israeli leadership sees Jerusalem as taboo, and will continue to push the issue off to the side until a later date. Such postponement becomes increasingly problematic as “ghettoization” and the discrimination of Arab-Israelis continue on a daily basis.
Physical and psychological “ghettoization” is taking place in Jerusalem. According to Don William Shomali, a Palestinian Bishop of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, not only are visible walls being build between different ethnic groups, but invisible ones are being created also. Each ethnic group lives in its own community and does not interact with others. Israeli Knesset member Daniel Ben Simon added that secular Israelis no longer feel welcome or comfortable living in Jerusalem. As a result, ultra-orthodox Jews increasingly make up a large percentage of the population in Jerusalem, which adds to this process of “ghettoization.”
Twenty percent of Israel's citizens are of Arab decent, and these individuals are not treated the same as their Jewish counterparts. Arab-Israeli Knesset Member Ahmad Al Tibi highlighted the continual discrimination against Arab-Israelis. In East Jerusalem, Arabs struggle to travel to work each day, and face numerous check points and separation walls. More than 72% of children living in East Jerusalem live under the poverty line, and the education system in East Jerusalem lacks approximately 1,000 classrooms. As such, the anger of Palestinian youth against Israel is increasingly cultivated.
To address these problems, Yossi Beilin, Chairman of the Geneva Initiative in Israel, stressed the need for one package including Jerusalem, refugees, borders, water and environment, if lasting peace is going to come about. Issues can no longer be treated one by one. The Geneva Initiative, which has been agreed upon by mainstream Israelis and Palestinians, provides a comprehensive solution for all issues left in negotiation.
In any solution, Jerusalem must be divided between Israel and the new Palestinian state. However, the Old City will be difficult to divide due to its political, religious and social implications. Ambassador Arthur Hughes, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (US), called for the creation of a “special regime” for the Old City, which would be regulated by the Israeli and Palestinian states. Religious sites would continue to be run by religious authorities. This “special regime” would include one police service with international, Israeli and Palestinian members. A governance board, including Israelis and Palestinians, would supervise the Old City’s administration.
by John Nowak
