Module 2: Jerusalem March, 2018

Modern History of Jerusalem Q&A Modern History of Jerusalem

The UN Partition Plan of 1947 and Jerusalem’s “International City” status In the years leading up to 1947, the British Mandate of Palestine saw a large influx of Jewish immigration. This resulted in increased tension and violence between the local Palestinian population and the new Zionist settlers. To address these tensions, in 1947 the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 181 which absolved British Mandate control over Palestine and proposed to partition Palestine into two autonomous states. Resolution 181’s Partition Plan proposed one Arab state and one Jewish state and called for Jerusalem to be governed as a “separate body” by an international administration.

Map of UN Resolution 181’s Partition Plan demarcating the Arab and Jewish states, as well as the independent Jerusalem district 4

The UN Partition Plan of 1947 and Jerusalem’s “International City” status Zionist leaders welcomed the recommendations of Resolution 181, while the provisions of the Partition Plan were widely opposed by Palestinians and other Arab states. Resolution 181 sparked further violent clashes between the local Palestinian population and Zionist settlers and would ultimately culminate in the 1948 War and establishment of the state of Israel.

Jerusalem post-1948: East vs West Following the 1948 War and establishment of Israel, Israel and Jordan reached an armistice agreement over control of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was therefore divided into two sections: East and West. East Jerusalem came under Jordanian rule, while West Jerusalem was ruled by Israel. East Jerusalem, under Jordanian rule, contained Jerusalem’s Old City – an area of historic and religious significance for the city’s Muslims, Jews and Christians. Despite UN Resolution 181’s call for a joint administration of Jerusalem, both Israel and Jordan practiced autonomous rule over their respective sections of the city, with little regard for Jerusalem’s “international status”.

The 1967 War and Israel’s Illegal Annexation of East Jerusalem Jordan maintained control over East Jerusalem for 19 years until the 1967 War between Israel and the neighbouring Arab states (Egypt, Jordan and Syria). During the Six Day War, Israel seized control of East Jerusalem and annexed it shortly afterwards. From June 25th to June 27th, Israel incorporated East Jerusalem together with areas of the West Bank to make up Jerusalem’s new municipal borders. By extending the city’s municipal borders, Israel placed all of Jerusalem under its sovereignty and civil law. 7

The 1967 War and Israel’s Illegal Annexation of East Jerusalem Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem is ILLEGAL under international law and has never been recognized by the international community. UN Charter forbids seizure of territory by force. Israel’s settlement building in East Jerusalem is illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention (Article 49, p.6) which forbids the transfer of an occupying power's population into territories it has acquired during war or conflict. On July 4th 1967, the UNGA passed Resolution 2253 condemning Israel’s illegal annexation of East Jerusalem: considers Israel’s measures are invalid; calls Israel to rescind annexation, and do nothing to change status of Jerusalem In 1980, Israel’s parliament passed the controversial “Jerusalem Law” stating that “Jerusalem, complete and united, is the capital of Israel”. This move was widely condemned by the international community. Soon afterwards, the UNSC passes Resolution 478 soon after, declaring the law to be “null and void” and calling for it to be rescinded. After the Oslo Accords, the contention over Jerusalem was deemed one of five final status issues to be addressed in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.

Key Facts about Jerusalem Q&A Key Facts about Jerusalem

Jerusalem Colonial Project Jewish population in East Jerusalem in 1948 was around 2,300. In a recent census in 2014, this number had risen to 300,000-350,000 settlers. Israel is actively trying to secure a Jewish majority in East Jerusalem by expanding its settlement projects and discriminatory practices designed to drive the local Palestinian population out of the city. Israel tightens its claim over Jerusalem with massive land grabs, rapid construction of settlements and other measures designed to bring the city entirely under Israeli control. Israeli lawmakers are also looking to expand the boundaries of Jerusalem to encompass additional settlements in the West Bank – if passed, the “Greater Jerusalem Bill” would ensure a Jewish majority in the city. Currently, 86% of occupied East Jerusalem is allocated to the Israeli state for settler use.

Why is Jerusalem a sensitive issue for both Palestinians and Jews? For both Palestinians and Israelis, Jerusalem is a city of important historic and religious significance. As a stateless people, for Palestinians, claiming East Jerusalem to be their capital is a symbol of resistance to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and assertion of nationalist desires. For Israelis, claims to Jerusalem as a capital city are crucial for historical legitimacy and political control. Zionists often refer to Jerusalem as the “spiritual capital” of the Jewish people. Israeli locates political institutions in Jerusalem, despite lack of international recognition for Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Tel Aviv is home to embassies of foreign countries.

Trump’s Jerusalem Declaration & Canada’s Response Q&A Trump’s Jerusalem Declaration & Canada’s Response

Trump’s Jerusalem Declaration and Canada’s Voting Record at the UN On December 6, 2017 Trump announces the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Contradicts to decades of US foreign policy Opposes accepted international consensus regarding Jerusalem’s status. International condemned Trump’s actions, highlighting illegitimacy and inflammatory nature as an impediment to peace. 14 out of the 15 members of the UN Security Council move to condemn the decision as a violation of UN resolutions and international law. On December 21, 2017, UNGA passes Resolution ES-10 L.22 declaring the status of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital “null and void”. The resolution passed by 128 votes to 9 against. Canada abstained.

Why should Canada condemn Trump’s Jerusalem decision? Canada’s silence on the Jerusalem issue… Legitimizes Trump’s pariah policies in the Middle East, Whitewashes Israel’s illegal actions and long history of international law violations. Hurts Canada’s reputation for neutrality on the international stage and Canada has the potential to be a key political actor Difficult to be a player until the Trudeau government takes a more neutral stance – joins the majority position at UN Must commit to respect for international law and opposition to unilateral, illegal moves on the ground.

Andrew Scheer’s Jerusalem Declaration February 2018, Leader of the Conservative Party Andrew Scheer states that Conservatives will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel if elected in 2019. Scheer’s promise goes against Canada’s long term foreign policy that does not recognize Israel’s illegal occupation of Jerusalem. In addition, the decision very clearly defies international law and international consensus. Scheer’s declaration a wedge tactic which puts pressure on Liberals to promise a similar measure. Scheer’s promise risks further legitimizing Trumps divisive foreign policy and Israel’s abusive behaviour vis-à-vis the Palestinians.

Latest Updates on Jerusalem March 2018, Israeli parliament passes law allowing government to strip Palestinians of residency in Jerusalem on grounds of a “breach of loyalty” to Israel. Currently, Palestinians in Jerusalem have residency but not citizenship Israel has frequently stripped Palestinians of residency for inconsequential reasons New legislation violates international law: As occupied territory, it is illegal to impose obligation of loyalty on occupied people, or deny residency rights on the basis of loyalty. Evidence of systematic discrimination against the Palestinian populations living under Israeli occupation. Law seeks to secure a Jewish majority in Jerusalem by forcibly pushing the Palestinian civilian population out of the city.