 |
 |
 |
|
|
The Western Wall in Jerusalem's old city (photo: Flash90)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| By Israel Insider staff September 19, 2007 |
|
| |
 Bookmark to del.icio.us |
| |
Vice Premier Haim Ramon raised ire among cabinet ministers after clarifying his proposal yesterday to cede parts of Jerusalem to the PA. According to his plan, the city's Jewish neighborhoods would remain under Israeli sovereignty, and the Arab neighborhoods would be Palestinian, the Jerusalem Post reported.
"I strongly oppose Minister Ramon's initiative. Jerusalem is the city that has been bringing together the Jewish people for thousands of years, and is not a bargaining chip or piece of real estate. Jerusalem is the Jewish people's right of existence and there is no one who is able to give up that right," Deputy Prime Minister and Shas Chairman Eli Yishai said, according to Ynet.
Ramon also saw fierce opposition from members of his own party, Kadima, who condemned him for defying the party's platform.
MK Ze'ev Elkin of the centrist party said he rejected the vice premier's proposals.
"These kinds of ideas are as far as east and west from the basic original viewpoint that Kadima was built upon by Arik Sharon, and I will do everything in my power, along with many other Kadima members, to stand guard and take care of the city's future, according to Kadima's real political platform, the one that was presented to the voter."
MK Otniel Schneller, also of Kadima, echoed the criticism of fellow party members, saying "Anyone who dares to propose that Israel be unable to wave Israel's flag at the Western Wall ? will never be able to say that he did not divide Jerusalem."
"His (Ramon's) plan is completely identical to Meretz's platform which is based on the Geneva plan. I did not hear of any decision of Kadima to join Meretz," Schneller added.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has not officially endorsed the plan. According to sources in his office, he does not believe that now is the time to make concessions regarding Jerusalem, although past reports have indicated otherwise.
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
|
