B'tselem Publications Examine Illegal Israeli Land And Population Policies in Jerusalem

by Betsy Barlow

Two recent publications by B'tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, deal with Israeli land expropriations in East Jerusalem, which are illegal under international law, and Israel's relentless "ethnic cleansing" of Palestinian residents from East Jerusalem, also illegal under international law and opposed by every U.S. administration prior to that of President Bill Clinton.

"A Policy of Discrimination: Land Expropriation, Planning and Building in East Jeruslem" is a 125-page report researched and written by Eitan Felner. It provides background information on the legal status of East Jerusalem and international law, an explanation of Israeli policy and recent policy shifts since Netanyahu's election, data on land expropriations, and testimonies of several East Jerusalem Palestinian residents.

The second publication is "The Quiet Deportation: Revocation of Residency of East Jerusalem Palestinians," written by Yael Stein and published in April 1997. The author begins with a review of the restrictions on building which are forcing Palestinians out of their city. These problems began with the start of the Israeli occupation, 30 years ago. Added to these difficulties are new problems, dating from perhaps 18 months ago. The Israeli Interior Ministry has changed its policy on residency status to enable it automatically, without hearings, to revoke the status of Palestinians with Jerusalem residency cards. The methods by which Palestinians, including those who hold American citizenship, already have lost their status are carefully detailed. The description, however, does require close reading. The procedures may be in accordance with Israeli rules, but are nevertheless at variance with the requirements of international law and principles of justice.

The "Center of Life" Criterion

One of the criteria used in making the determination about residency is the "center of life" test; that is, an attempt to determine whether or not Jerusalem is truly the center of the person's life. The author states, "The requirements are so detailed that even persons who never left the city would have difficulty meeting them. It is clear, therefore, that the examination of 'center of life' is...intended to achieve the preordained goal of revoking the right to residency on one pretext or another, because of the failure to meet the high standard of proof" (p. 20).

Americans who tend to believe only Israeli accounts of the events that have led to the disastrous collapse of the peace process should read this Israeli organization's analysis for an appreciation of the tension that the Palestinian Jerusalem community currently has to endure. This unlawful and unjust policy already has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinians losing the right to live in their city. It obviously is the hope of the Netanyahu government that many more thousands can be removed before the final status is negotiated, if such negotiations take place at all. The Israeli government displays no concern about where these thousands of people might go, how they will earn their living, or the pain that permanent separation from their families and their long-term homes will bring.

Both publications are available from B'tselem, 43 Emek Refaim St., Jerusalem 93141; phone 972-2-5617271; fax 972-2- 5610756; e-mail: btselem@actcom.co.il B'tselems's Web site can be reached at: http://www.btselem.org

Focus on Jerusalem

Two recent conferences in Washington focused on the status of Jerusalem. Georgetown University's Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding sponsored an afternoon conference June 5 on "The Future of Arab Christians and of Christianity in Jeruslem and the Holy Land." The keynote speaker was Karen Armstrong, author of "A History of God, the 4000 Year Quest in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam" and "Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths." Ms. Armstrong noted that Jews, Christians and Muslims all have an interest in the city, and that some of the worst atrocities have occurred when a single vision, instead of a triple vision, has been operative. She detailed some examples of violence by one party toward the others from Jerusalem's history, and called for a triple vision in planning for its future.

Naim Ateek, canon of St. George's Cathedral and President of Sabeel, the ecumencial Christian Palestinian Libertion Theology Center, described the mosaic of faiths which had coexisted in Jeruslem through most of its history. This diversity is currently under assault by the Israeli government which is pursuing policies to subordinate or eliminate the religious and cultural life perhaps the very presence of Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem.

Jonathan Kuttab, a Palestinian human rights lawyer, described Israeli policies and actions whose purpose was to take over exclusive control of Jerusalem, including expropriations, denial of building permission, cutting Jerusalem from its hinterland through closures, and cancellation of residency permits. In contrast to the rights of Jewish Israelis, who can have dual citizenship if they wish, Palestinians lose their status as Jerusalem residents if they acquire any other citizenship, or stay out of the country for 7 years, or acquire another residence. Palestinians at checkpoints can be asked to produce evidence that they paid their taxes to Israel, that they paid gas, water and electricity bills, use medical services in East Jerusalem, and sent their children to school in East Jerusalem. He was greeted with a laugh when he pointed out that Palestinian Jerusalemites have the highest rate of paying taxes ll0% because of the danger of losing residency if paying taxes cannot be proved. Tens of thousands are already living in their own city with revoked permits.

He reminded the audience that Israeli attempts at supremacy and exclusivity in the city are throwbacks to the old tribal/ethnic exclusivities of an earlier age. If this continues, when the balance of power shifts, they can expect to be dealt with as others have been before them. We need to bring to bear the moral power of our faiths and to bring about a system where the powerful do not gobble up the weak. There is something very unstable about injustice, he pointed out.

Dr Mumtaz Ahmed, Professor of Political Scinece at Hampton University, Virginia, reminded the audience of the importance of Jerusalem for the Muslim community world-wide. David Jaeger, Vicar Judicial in the diocese of Austin, Texas, stressed that "Christianity is not about Christian rights, but rights for all human beings."

Dr. Rosemary Ruether, Professor of Theology, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois, described American Christian Myopias Toward Israel and the Palestinians. Western Christians have been remarkably silent in the face of prolonged and extensive injustices to the Palestinian community, including the Jerusalem Christian community, partly because of ignorance, or dubious theology, but also due to the lamentable spinelessness of some Christians in the U.S. The program ended with a spirited question period.

Also in Washington another conference on "Jerusalem the Things That Make for Peace: An Agenda for American Christians" took place on the evening of June 5 and continued all day on June 6 at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington. This conference, planned in conjunction with the Georgetown conference, was sponsored by the Friends of Sabeel North America (FOS-NA). "Sabeel," the Arabic world for "the path," is an ecumenical Christian Palestinian Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem which seeks to work for justice and promote peace for all communities living there.

The conference opened with a viewing of "Jerusalem: An Occupation Cast in Stone?" with film director Marty Rosenbluth in attendance to answer questions. Panels at the conference focused on "American Policy and the Perpetuation of Injustice," "Western Christian Mythology and the Perpetuation of Injustice," and "Working for Justice: An Agenda for Americans." The conference of over 240 enthusiastic people, representing thirteen Christian denominations and Muslims and Jews and over 20 states also concentrated on organizing by denomination and by regions. Resources were exhibited, and plans discussed for cooperative programs in the coming year. The next international conference will be held in Jerusalem and Bethlehem February 11-15, 1998. All intedted persons are welcome.

A book "Jerusalem: What Makes for Peace! A Palestinian Christian’s Contribution to Peacemaking," edited by the Rev. Naim Ateek, Cedar Duaybis and Marla Schrader and containing the proceedings from the first international conference in Jerusalem during January 1996 was offered for sale, before the offical British publication ceremony on June 13 in the Jerusalem Chambre of Westminster Abbey. The book is available from Fox Communications and Publications in London, or from FOS-NA for $24.

For further information about the book or any of the programs of Sabeel or Friends of Sabeel North America, contact Friends of Sabeel North America, Box 4214, Ann Arbor, MI 48106.