 |
 |
 |
|
|
Jerusalem's Old City (file)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| By israelinsider staff May 13, 2007 |
|
| |
 Bookmark to del.icio.us |
| |
Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski warned Sunday that if the current demographic pattern persists, Jerusalem could lose its Jewish majority within 12 years, allowing Hamas to take control of the Jewish capital.
"Jerusalem may, God forbid, not be under Jewish sovereignty, but ruled by Hamas, which knows that it can conquer Jerusalem demographically within 12 years. We need a plan in order to ensure that Jerusalem remains Israel's capital for all eternity," Lupolianski said, speaking at a cabinet meeting held at Jerusalem's Begin Heritage Center in honor of the 40th anniversary of the city's reunification.
"We will not be satisfied with crumbs," stated the mayor.
Jerusalem's existing population of 720,000 residents consists of 66% Jewish and 34% Arab. If the current situation remains constant, the status of Jerusalem's residents will change to only 60% Jewish by 2020, and the Arab and Jewish populations will be equal within 25 years, predicted a recent study conducted by Prof. Sergio Della Pergola of Hebrew University.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced at the meeting his promise of NIS 5.75 billion to help "advance and encourage Jerusalem."
"We want to assure the economic strength of the city," said the PMO's director-general, Ra'anan Dinur. "These measures will greatly assist in achieving this goal."
According to Olmert the money would be used to build a center focused on Jerusalem's history and construct a group of courthouses in the city's center. He promised also to move more government facilities to Jerusalem and cancel the city's employer's tax.
A recent poll showed that 31% of Jewish Israelis agreed with Mayor Lupolianski, saying that Jerusalem's declining Jewish population is it's number one problem. The poll, conducted by the Zionist Council in Israel, found that 26% considered lack of jobs the biggest problem. Jerusalem residents agreed.
Hadash Chairman MK Mohammad Barakeh was oputraged that the cabinet meeting was held at the Begin Heritage Center, overlooking Jerusalem's Old City.
"Holding the government meeting across from the walls of the Old City, celebrating the occupation of the city, is a provocation," he stated.
He continued, saying that there would be no peace in the city until it was capital to both the Jewish and Palestinian states, and conveyed hope that "next year, the Palestinian government will convene in East Jerusalem." |
|
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
