For an Equitable and Stable Jerusalem with an Agreed Political Future

The next study tours are as follows: 

English: 16/10  9:30 – 13:30  Sunday

Hebrew:  14/10  9:30 – 13:30  Friday

17/10  9:30 – 13:30  Monday

19/10  9:30 – 13:30  Wednesday

21/10  9:30 – 13:30  Friday

NEW: A North Jerusalem tour (Hebrew). 18/10  9:30 – 13:30 Tuesday.

Our study tours fill up quickly, so please sign up as early as possible.  For more information and registration

On October 26, 2011, the Israeli Supreme Court is due to hear the petition (#5031/10 filed June 23, 2010) of Ir Amim and a number of noted archaeologists against the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, (INPA), the Minister of Environment and the Municipality of Jerusalem, among others.  The petition challenges the privatization of the City of David National Park and the transfer of its administration to a private political organization – an apparently illegal measure. 

In advance of this hearing, and apparently in an effort to render it irrelevant, the ministerial committee for legislation adopted a draft bill, allowing the sweeping privatization of all of the national parks and their transfer to private organizations. The draft law

  passed a preliminary reading in the Knesset by a large majority on July 27 – just days before the summer break.  

In the last two decades, extreme right-wing organizations have been determined to create settlements in the middle of Palestinian neighborhoods in the historical basin of the Old City, with the aim of transforming the area’s national character and to foil the possibility of a political resolution in the future. Ir Amim’s new report exposes another link in this chain – the settlement in the heart of Palestinian Musrara, whose location near Damascus Gate turns it into an especially sensitive and strategic target, with potential for strife.

As part of the government decisions regarding “Emergency Plan to Accelerate Building of Housing,” a special committee was formed to advance building plans that would then be implemented by the Building and Housing Ministry.  Among the plans to be advanced are 4 Israeli building plans in East Jerusalem, which would add more than 4,000 new housing units.  Ir Amim calls urgently upon the government to remove these plans from the special committee, because of their highly sensitive nature.

For some 40 years East Jerusalem has used a curriculum that is in keeping with the heritage, identity and culture of its tens of thousands of children. Ir Amim has recently learned that attempts are currently underway to change the textbooks in East Jerusalem, leading to further destabilization of the fragile situation there. For more, read Ir Amim's letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Ir Amim offers you an opportunity to help transform Jerusalem from a volatile flash point to a stable and sustainable city whose future is determined by a negotiated process.   Our work would not be possible without your support! 

If you prefer to donate through P.E.F. or the New Israel Fund, press here for more information.