THE FUTURE OF JERUSALEM
CAFE POLITICS SIMULATION

Synopsis

The question of Jerusalem's status is related to the overall development of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the peace process. Hence each formula proposed below is dependent on a consensus or the lack of a consensus between the parties concerned.

Age: 15 plus, adults Time: 90 mins/extension possible
Suitable for: 15-20 participants

AIM

An evaluation of different possible formulae for regulating Jerusalem's status as proposed by Israeli legislation, international law, committed or uncommitted observers. Beyond consideration of the existing proposals, to leave room for original suggestions emanating from participants for solution to the issues.

Preparation and Materials

Background materials for all grous; history and chronology of religions in Jerusalem/ Neher article.
Pens, paper, pencils etc.
Maps of Jerusalem for everyone
Cafe decor - to be prepared in advance by madrichim or groups.

PROCEDURE

1. The organizer divides the group into four teams of "architects of Jerusalem". In real life, these "architects" are to be found principally sitting outside the city's cafes where they make and unmake the future of their city. Give each participant the name of the cafe where they will be sitting (see below: Atara, American Colony, La Riviera, Cinematheque) and explain each cafe corresponds to a formula for the future of Jerusalem.

Local Colour:

A. La Riviera

Constitutes a meeting place for Jerusale's French-speaking immigrants and tourists from France with its French-style patisserie. See solution no.1 (annexation).

B. Atara

Almost opposite La Riviera on the Ben Yehuda Street Mall, this is one of the oldest cafes in the city, a permanent meeting place for intellectuals and academics. See solution no.2 (boroughs).

C. Cinematheque

Centre of attraction for the young, especially students. Solution no.3 (two autonomous administrations)

D. American Colony

Foremost East Jerusalem luxury hotel. Its sumptuous garden pation attracts Israelis, Arabs and tourists and it is also the meeting place of members of the foreign diplomatic corps and international press correspondents. Solution No.4 (tripartite confederation).

See documents below.

2. The teams are told which status of Jerusalem they must elaborate and defend, using the documents below. They have to draw up a 6-point document bearing on their position to determine he principal implications of their position for daily life in Jerusalem. The items to which they have to refer are detailed below.

The organizers can allow up to 45 minutes for drawing up the manifesto and will need to help the teams identify with the allocated formulae initially and stimulate their imagination during the assignment.

OPTION

If there is more time and equipment is available, the document can be developed through the use of media, eg slides, posters, newscasts...

3. Presentation of documents and discussion Teams defend their position and after or during the round, questions may be put to them; organizers can supplement information as required.

*BACKGROUND MATERIALS*

A. FORMULAE FOR JERUSALEM'S STATUS (one per cafe)

1. Simple legislative annexation of the city to the State of Israel, with all Arab residents of Eastern Jerusalem obliged to adopt Israeli nationality.

2. Division of the city into boroughs by neighbourhoods, with a mayor at the head of each borough and a municipal council assembling these mayors.

3. Administrative autonomy of the two parts of the city; two different mayors - one administering the Israeli (Western/"new") Jerusalem, the other administering the former Jordanian (Eastern/Old City) part.

4. Jerusalem, capital of a Jordanian-Palestinian-Israeli confederation administered by a mayor and a municipal council elected by all the city's residents. This will imply the modification of the status of the entire State of Israel...

B. SIX POINTS OF REFERRAL FOR TEAM DOCUMENTS

1. Situation of the Holy Places

Status, access conditions, who is not allowed access to certain places, authorities responsible for governing each holy place...

2. Municipal administration How to organize the administration of the city: who makes decisions, how are people appointed to positions, what are the crucial problems to be settled as of priority by the administration?

3. Cultural development

A donor wishes to endow Jerusalem with a vast cultural complex. For what could such a centre be used? Who should manage it?

4. Project

Another philanthropist wishes to donate $10 million to the city with the proviso that this sum be used for a single, uniform project. What should this be?

5. Town planning

Should the example of Haifa be imitated, with the promotion of mixed neighbourhoods, where Arabs and Jews are in constant contact and often live in the same buildings?

6. International status

Should Jerusalem remain the capital of the State of Israel?

C. STATUS

Under International Law, Jerusalem has no status, but under Israeli legislation, the city is an integral part of the State of Israel and has been declared its capital city.

The polemic around Jerusalem stems from the fact that it has long been considered a holy city by the Jews, Moslems and Christians alike - although Islamic tradition accords prior importance to Mecca and Medina.

The intense frictions between Jews and Arabs during the British Mandatory period led the British to evolve an international regime for the city, to be enfored by the United Nations in the framework of the creation of two States envisaged by the UN Partition Plan as adopted 29th November 1947.

The War of Independence ended with the signing of the Rhodes Agreement In April 1949. This stipulated, in addition to the partition of the city of Jerusalem: free circulation on the access routes, use of the institutions on Mt. Scopus (University and Hadassah Hospital) by Israel and free access to the holy places for all.

Jordan, however, gailed to respect its commitments and two states (Jordan and Israel) established their power over the two parts of the now divided city. In 1949, Jordan also annexed the West Bank and henceforth regarded Jerusalem (i.e. the Eastern part, including the Old City) as an integral part of its territory and under its sovereignty. This annexation was recognized only by two states in the UN, including Pakistan.

Israel proceeded in stages: the government and the Knesset - which had sat in Tel Aviv since May 1948 when Jerusalem was under siege - were installed in Jerusalem in late 1949. In January 1950, the Knesset adopted a resolution proclaiming that "Jerusalem is and always has been the capital of Israel".

An unusual situation was thus created in international law, which refused to recognize the division of the city. This situation was transformed by the Six Day War - this time, international law refused to recognize the reunification of the city.

Shortly after the War, Jerusalem's status was modified in Israeli internal law: the Israeli government published an edict extending Israeli law,jurisdiction and administration to the eastern part of the city. This act created a bitter controversy among Israeli jurists as to whether there had been annexation by Israel. The doubts existed because Arab residents were not obliged to adopt Israeli nationality.

In 1980, the Knesset voted the Basic Law on "one, undivided Jerusalem, capital of Israel". This law in no way modified the previous legal situation and the eastern part of the city is no more annexed than it was in 1967; it was more of a political reaction to the evacuation fo the Sinai peninsula under the Camp David Peace Accords with Egypt.

Editors & Authors: Gila Ansell Brauner, Barbara Weill. General Editor: Henrique Cymerman
1987.(C)