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Mayor to raise funds for E. J'lem Arabs to block Hamas By Jonathan Lis Tags: East Jerusalem, Arab schools  Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski is planning to enlist world Jewry in a fund-raising drive for East Jerusalem's Arabs, in a bid to counter Hamas influence in local schools. The money will be used mainly for educational projects in the east of the capital, where an acute classroom shortage means many pupils end up in schools identified with Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. "It should be a national imperative that every East Jerusalem child has access to a state school," Lupolianski said Thursday . Jerusalem officials said the drive is the first such attempt to enlist world Jewry to help the capital's Arab community. Advertisement "The state should finance schools. But we're losing many pupils because we lack hundreds of classrooms. Consequently, the pupils go to schools supervised by Fatah and Hamas instead. We may see the outcome in the years to come," Lupolianski said. The mayor's first goal is to raise contributions for a science magnet school in the Ras al-Amud neighborhood for 1,000 outstanding students. "As mayor of Jerusalem, which is also Israel's largest Arab city, It is my duty to provide schools for the children of 250,000 Arab residents," Lupolianski said. Jerusalem lobby chair MK Colette Avital (Labor), who is collaborating with Lupolianski, has raised $3 million from Jewish British donors for schools in East Jerusalem. "East Jerusalem's population is largely peace-seeking and loyal, but given the state of education, we have no assurance that this will be so in the future," he said. "Our schools in the east part of the city are in demand due to their high standards. Their graduates contribute to Israel's economy," he said. Municipal officials said that most Jewish communities prefer donating to "Zionist" projects. Lupolianski has put together a portfolio to present to Jewish communities abroad during his next fund-raising trip next month. He is expected to tell them that building schools in East Jerusalem is an important national-Zionist task in order to preserve the city's image and maintain good relations with the Arab community. Avital said Thursday that she tried to advance East Jerusalem's education system in various ways, but encountered numerous obstacles. Three new schools are being opened in East Jerusalem's Ras al-Amud and Umm Lison neighborhoods, part of the city's NIS 66 million investment in new classrooms for the 2009-2010 school year. However, this will not be enough to meet the growing demand created by a high birthrate and migration from the territories. Related articles: Jerusalem mayor Lupolianski freezes controversial development plan Jewish group to build 200 new housing units in East Jerusalem City manager insists gov't delaying Jewish housing in E. J'lem Bookmark to del.icio.us   Passover in Damascus Syria's 100 remaining Jews say they feel free to celebrate Passover openly. Shanghai surprise A Jewish couple in Shanghai weds inside a synagogue for the first time since WWII.   1.   Worthwhile 05:39  |  Mark of Lewiston 18/04/08   2.   Schools supervised by Hamas? 06:12  |  Gili 18/04/08   3.   Save your money and effort 07:29  |  Natallie Durson 18/04/08   4.   Mayor to raise funds for E. J`lem Arabs to block Hamas 10:07  |  martin list, m.d. 18/04/08   5.   sucker 12:21  |  zouzou 18/04/08   6.   Sheik to raise funds for East Mecca Jews 12:35  |  Shlomo Ben-Porat 18/04/08   7.   Help for ASrab schoos 16:24  |  Bernard Schiff 18/04/08   8.   Doing the right thing for the wrong reason! 16:27  |  lakshmi 18/04/08   9.   I hope this is properly thought through! 16:35  |  Robert 18/04/08   10.   Funds for Arab Students 17:51  |  Garry 18/04/08   11.   Teach them English and point them ... 21:29  |  Realist 18/04/08   12.   They`re seeking freedom not charity 22:49  |  Aounist 18/04/08   13.   e. Jerusalem schools 23:32  |  ik 18/04/08   14.   Why don`t 22 HUGE Arab countries with ENORMOUS OIL WEALTH help? 00:18  |  Linda Rivera 19/04/08   15.   Many of the Palestinian Terrorists were well-educated 01:16  |  Jon 19/04/08   16.   Tzedekah/Zakat 03:04  |  Cat 19/04/08   17.   Linda Rivera - Public Schools 03:06  |  Mark of Lewiston 20/04/08

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