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Israel: Don't Inflame Jerusalem
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Progressive Portal
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Aug 23, 2005 23:56 PDT
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UNDER COVER OF THE GAZA-STRIP DISENGAGEMENT, JERUSALEM GOVERNMENT
PLANS TO BUILD NEW JEWISH SETTLEMENT IN THE CITY'S MUSLIM QUARTER
[From Jewish Voice for Peace <http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org>]
Under cover of the Gaza disengagement, the city of Jerusalem has just
approved a plan to build Jewish homes in the center of the Muslim
Quarter of the city. This area houses 10 times more people than in any
other place in Jerusalem.
For the last several years, right-wing American Irving Moskowitz has
poured millions of dollars into building a Jewish-settler presence in
Arab East Jerusalem. The residents of these homes live under heavy
security, with machine-gun-wielding guards overlooking the neighbors
below. This arrangement has already caused tension with Palestinian
neighbors.
The new plan to build homes and a synagogue for 150 Jews in the Muslim
Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem is different -- it's not privately
funded. Instead, it's funded by the Israeli government, with
U.S.-taxpayer support.
Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said about the plan, "This is
pouring fuel on the fire. We ask that the international community
intervene immediately to stop such actions."
[Editor's Note: When sending the messages indicated below,
ProgressivePortal.org suggests you may wish to include applause for the
Israeli government's removal of Jewish settlements from the Gaza strip
-- any benefits of which may be undermined by the Jerusalem proposal.]
Take Action
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1. Send a letter to your U.S. representatives and to Israeli-government
officials urging a halt to this project:
http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/jvfp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1127
2. Phone these key Israeli officials:
Minister of the Interior Ofir Pines: +972 2 566 6376
Minister for Building and Infrastructure Isaac Herzog: +972 2 582 4111
Director of Jerusalem District Planning Ruth Yosef: +972 2 629 0216
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