Palestinians, Israelis propose plan for mixed Jerusalem neighborhood
Jerusalem councilman: Mayor Barkat didn't rule project out, but thinks it should be pursued at different location
By Nir Hasson Tags: Jerusalem Israel news PalestiniansFor the first time since Jerusalem's unification after the Six-Day War, a plan has been proposed to create a fully integrated Jewish-Arab neighborhood in the city. The residential area is planned at Tantur, between Bethlehem and the south Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo. It would feature 800 housing units and a hotel district.
The project is being promoted by a group of Palestinian and Israeli public figures who hired architect Eli Reches to plan the neighborhood. The plans have been presented to Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.
According to Jerusalem City Councilman Meir Margalit, Barkat didn't rule the project out, but thinks it should be pursued at a different location.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair, representing the Quartet of Mideast peace mediators, has reportedly expressed support for the initiative.
The concept was initially proposed by Hasson, a Hebrew University geography professor, during a tour of the site nearly a year ago with a group that included Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Naomi Tsur and the municipality's engineer, Shlomo Eshkol.
Hasson pursued the project after the city's former mayor, Uri Lupolianski, tapped him to explore options for building affordable housing in Jerusalem. Hasson also hopes to see a similar mixed Jewish-Arab neighborhood go up in the north of the city.
Among the Jews in the group promoting the Tantur project are the former director general of the Jerusalem Development Authority, Ezri Levi, the former director general of the Jerusalem municipality, Aharon Sarid, and a senior staff member from the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies, Israel Kimchi.
Arab participants include journalist Rami Nasrallah, who served as an adviser to the late Palestinian leader Faisal Husseini, and Haifa University geography professor Rassem Khamaisi. A number of other Palestinian participants asked not to be identified at this stage.
Master plan changed
The area was initially planned as an Arab neighborhood, but after the Interior Ministry demanded changes to the city master plan, the site was designated for green space.
Some left-wing observers say the demanded change was an attempt to scuttle Arab construction in the area. According to Hasson, "the neighborhood can be a nice link between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. You need to think about the future in which [residents of the] two cities talk to each other."
Members of the group promoting the project acknowledge that many difficulties lie ahead before the neighborhood takes shape. Levi rates the chances of success at 50 or 60 percent, but called the concept "correct."
Others, however, see the proposal for a mixed neighborhood as a plan to bypass objections to an Arab neighborhood, saying that in practice the group will build an Arab residential area.
Margalit said that "what is necessary is to find models for living together ... We are sowing seeds here that can go far."
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These Palestinians will be considered by Durson and her ilk as "uncle Toms." Just sad.
How can people be negative about this? The solution to conflict IS living together. I bet all the negative comments were made by people who actually have no real idea about what it is like. Or they live abroad, or they live in the segregated part of Israel. I live in Jafo. My neighbours are Jews, Muslims and Christians. There is no problem here. So what is the problem???
This is what is needed, not walls and separation. I see no reason why the killing must go on
The One who makes it possible for you to breath - He is against many mixed things. You ought to consult Him = Jerusalem the City of the King of the Universe.
Most Judges require the two parties to get counseling that is acceptable before the court, before letting the two parties live together. They shoot with real guns and real bullets and they shoot with real rockets. Closer is going to make them fall in love?
Not in our times. The one state solution does not exist as a political option in present times. There is no power in the world that could enforce Israelis to accept a one state solution. However, what about three four generations from now???? The earth will be conquered by Mars. No need for one two or three state solutions.
between Gaza and Israel? Hope it was not started by some Pro-Palistinian official who has plans to smuggle in arms and terrorist. A number of other Palestinian participants asked not to be identified at this stage
are now going to move into a neighborhood in Jeruselem. Are they going to leave their rockets at home in Gaza?
The mew Zionist ideal -- to find a way to bridge differences and build something together that we can all be proud to leave our kids. Until our children go to school together and play in the yard nothing will change.
Good idea - but the new resident better be hand-picked for compatibility ! David
Except that the area suggested to build on is part of the occupied West Bank. Now if in the future , Israelis and Palestinians choose to build such a neighborhood ther , then that is great . I think this neighborhood should be established on public land in pre 67 line on Israel's side , then this would be a less contentious issue....
This is what Israel should have been doing all along. For the most part, Israel is a segregated society (and not just between Arabs and Jews), which for the most part was designed this way. As long as Jews and Arabs live segregated and the images for Arabs is Jewish oppression (genocide, limited rights, etc...) while the images from the Jewish side is Arab terrorism (as well as stereotypes that "show" Arab "inferiority"), nothing will change (that being the attitude and mistrust of each other). The best solution is integration, for each side to see the other side as humans. Sorry, I didn't respond with "Muslims beating their wives" or "Jewish submission", but I'm an adult.
Yes, it is time for those who are tired of war to learn to live together. This will help the next generation respect different races and cultures.
I always thought that if Palestinians and Jews lived, worked, went to school together, things would eventually work out. Separation by culture is a negative thing no matter where it is.
one state, two states, three states. Of course, it'll take the state/s to adhere to their obligations, unlike the situation for the last 61 years. i.e., no illegal acquisition by war, illegal annexation, illegal settlers, illegally instituted law, ignoring UNSC resolutions.
The One State solution is on it's way...
to any proposal that mixes the two peoples.
Egads, a mixed neighborhood in Jerusalem, wonder of wonders, Jews have been living with Arabs in some towns in the North for over fifty years. Granted, some Jews say things, and some Arabs say things, but the facts on the ground speak for themselves. Ah! but in Mandatory times, Jews and Arabs lived in mixed neighborhoods in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv-Jaffo. Ask anybody who grew up in Tiberias. Okay, there was a war of Independence and . . . Up to the mid thirties, Jews lived in Shfar'am where the synagogue attests to a small, but active community there. Yes, Virginia, its possible. Nobody says its easy all the time, but it be's that way sometimes in Israel. I invite you to the Mall in Natzrat 'Illit to witness what happens when Jewish and Arab vendors share the space, where the people and and signs are mostly tri-lingual. It works in spite of President Carter says.
According to Hasson, "the neighborhood can be a nice link between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. You need to think about the future in which [residents of the] two cities talk to each other." Wishful thinking , the appotropos has to be removed completely and then the project can succeed if the original owners get compensated to their losses .
... on Pal land... in that way keep-a-check on the Pals... have no faith in such suggestions from curren mayor... why not on Jewish or Pal ancestral property within East Jerusalem?...
Wake up and stop dreaming. Jew and Palestinian will never live in peace specially when the land is contested! Bethlehem Christian land to be shared by Jews and Muslim alike. What a Dream or is it a nightmare ask the blessing of the Iranian President and you will know the result
As long as muslims fight their women and Jews "living together" is a difficult concept.Jews object to submission