Jerusalem. A city of 3 religions and 2 political communities. A city that makes the international news almost daily. How much do YOU know about Jerusalem? Jerusalem Awareness Week 2010

Jerusalem Palestinians Israelis Two-state solution Old City Holy city West Bank Security Fence Separation Wall Settlements United Capital of the Jewish People Six-Day War Al-Haram Al-Sharif Reunification Western Wall Temple Mount

About This Program Today’s program may show a view of Jerusalem that you are not accustomed to seeing. We appreciate your willingness to be open-minded and to learn some of the issues facing the city at this critical juncture in its history. The goal of the program is to provide a window onto some of the complexities of the situation in Jerusalem, and to show you both personal and political perspectives of how the Israeli- Palestinian conflict plays out in the city.

Ir Amim is an Israeli non-partisan, non-profit organization founded in order to actively engage in those issues impacting Israeli- Palestinian relations in Jerusalem and on the political future of the city. Ir Amim seeks to render Jerusalem a more viable and equitable city, while generating and promoting a politically sustainable future. Ir Amim invites you to learn about the situation in Jerusalem through this program today, and by continuing to engage with the issue in the future. Visit us at

About “Jerusalem Moments” “Jerusalem Moments” is a collection of short films made by young Israeli and Palestinian directors, created to stimulate public awareness of the ramifications of the conflict in Jerusalem. The films relay personal stories of daily life in Jerusalem, providing a range of complex perspectives on the Israeli- Palestinian conflict in the city. The films you will see today are part of the 2008 and 2009 collections.

Bus Station By Lily Sheffy Jerusalem Moments Film Project, 2008 In this film, look for… The interactions between the two women, seemingly so similar, yet whose backgrounds are an invisible boundary The suspicions and assumptions that the characters make about each other The existence, within Jerusalem, of two peoples living side by side.

How much do you know about EAST JERUSALEM? 1. I could teach a class on it. 2. A good amount, but I want to know more. 3. Very little. That’s why I’m here. 4. East Jerusa-WHAT?!

Israel has considered East Jerusalem as part of the Israeli capital since… Israel does not view East Jerusalem as part of Jerusalem.

Most Palestinians in East Jerusalem… 1. Are citizens of Israel 2. Are citizens of Jordan 3. Are citizens of Great Britain 4. Are not citizens of any country – and have an entirely distinct status.

The entire city of Jerusalem is approximately… 1. One-tenth Palestinian 2. One-fourth Palestinian 3. One-third Palestinian 4. One-half Palestinian

The border of Jerusalem is… 1. The Green Line 2. A different municipal boundary 3. Where the security barrier was built 4. All of the above: This is a highly contested issue.

The two-state solution… 1. Will require discussion and negotiation over Jerusalem. 2. Has been discussed without Jerusalem in the past, so Jerusalem is clearly not a big issue 3. Has nothing to do with Jerusalem. 4. Is becoming more and more likely because of recent events in Jerusalem.

Ghetto Town By Amber Fares and Avi Goldstein Jerusalem Moments Film Project, 2009 In this film, look for… The living conditions in the Shu’afat Refugee Camp, and how they contrast with your previous conceptions of Jerusalem The almost complete governmental neglect of this neighborhood, even though it is under the jurisdiction of Israeli law The story of G-Town, and how they have used rap to find a unique voice and expression

Map Exercise: Understanding the geographic and historic contexts of the conflict in Jerusalem Maps courtesy of Shalom Achshav

WEST JERUSALEM Jordanian Jerusalem Yellow Areas: Palestinian Villages/Cities Old City Green Line Bethlehem Ramallah Mount Scopus

Municipal Boundary EAST JERUSALEM: Between the Green Line and Municipal Boundary Palestinian villages annexed into Jerusalem

Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem

Jerusalem in the NEWS: March 2010 “Israel planning 50,000 housing units in East Jerusalem” “Another crisis brewing? Sheikh Jarrah construction OK’d” “J'lem planning authority okays Shepherd Hotel plan” “Jerusalem Mayor to Demolish Palestinian Homes in Silwan” ‎ ”Silwan: 'Residents won't agree to Barkat plan‘” “Ramat Shlomo decision triggers US-Israeli spat” “Struggle for Jerusalem goes on, four decades after war”

Israeli construction in East Jerusalem is extremely dangerous. It puts future resolution over the city of Jerusalem, by changing the geographic and demographic conditions on the ground. Many proposed solutions for Jerusalem, such as the Clinton Parameters, are demographically-based, incorporating Jewish neighborhoods into Israel and Palestinian ones into Palestinian control (with special international arrangements for the Old City). These solutions rely on the ability to divide East Jerusalem, and continued Israeli construction will very shortly make this impossible.

Construction Type #1: Building in Jewish Neighborhoods Most Israelis recognize the Jewish neighborhoods of East Jerusalem as permanent and ordinary parts of Israel, and not as settlements. However, building in these neighborhoods is a dangerous move. -East Jerusalem has the same status as the West Bank in the eyes of the international community. -Construction in these areas creates new “facts on the ground” which will complicate or halt negotiation over Jerusalem. These include disrupting the territorial contiguity between East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Examples of this type of construction: Ramat Shlomo, Gilo, Har Homa

Construction Type #2: Settlements in Palestinian Neighborhoods Far more explosive than construction in Jewish neighborhoods is a trend of settlement construction in the heart of Palestinian neighborhoods, which has been accelerating in recent years. The primary target areas for this building are the Historic Basin (the area immediately surrounding the Old City) and the Old City itself. Settlement construction in Palestinian neighborhoods of East Jerusalem is a direct attempt to render the Historic Basin of Jerusalem Jewish and Israeli, to disrupt territorial contiguity between Palestinian East Jerusalem and the Old City, and to thwart future negotiations. Settlement construction in Palestinian neighborhoods is primarily being carried out by right-wing settler organizations, with support from the government. Examples of this type of construction: the Old City, Silwan, Sheikh Jarrah

Do these maps seem to support the often stated vision of Jerusalem as the “Eternal, undivided capital of the Jewish people?” If and when discussions for a two-state solution occur, what possible borders could be used to divide Israel and the new Palestinian state? What impact could further Jewish construction in East Jerusalem (whether as separate Jewish neighborhoods or within Palestinian neighborhoods) have on the peace process? Jerusalem Maps: Discussion Questions

Nine to Five By Daniel Gal Jerusalem Moments Film Project, 2009 In this film, look for… Very stark examples of how freedom of movement is restricted for Palestinians living in the West Bank The effect of the Separation Barrier on those who live on the other side, but for whom Jerusalem was the center of life in the region. The disconnection of East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank The irony that the men in the film work to build Har Homa, a Jewish neighborhood in East Jerusalem

Jerusalem is a very complex city, and the realities of the situation on the ground make it a powder keg, which could lead to an explosion, with the slightest incitement. However, it is important to recognize that the conflict is not only political, but also personal – affecting the daily lives of all who live here – Israeli and Palestinian. The rights, dignity, and welfare of all who live in the city should always be the primary concern, so that Jerusalem can truly be a shared city for all who lay claim to it.

THANK YOU We thank you for your participation in today’s program and hope it was informative. The conversation about Jerusalem does not stop tonight. We encourage you to learn more about Jerusalem and to continue the dialogue. Please sign in to receive monthly updates about Jerusalem, reference your fact sheets for resources about Jerusalem, and visit us online at