|
FW: EAST JERUSALEM - EU REPORT
|
=?iso-8859-1?Q?Zo=EB_Mars?=
|
Nov 26, 2005 02:38 PST
|
JERUSALEM AND RAMALLAH HEADS OF MISSIONSubject: FW: EAST JERUSALEM - EU
REPORT
Here is a summary of the EU document on E Jerusalem which was reported on
in the Guardian & Independent yesterday (it's a pity but Topica won't
accept the full version - too long but I cld forward it to anyone who'd like
it) . Apparently it was written by 'top diplomats representing the 25 EU
govts in the city'. Unfortunately its publication was vetoed by the EU
foreign ministers on the grounds it would prejudice the negotiations over
the Gaza border (and no doubt because as always they did not want to
'offend' Israel.)
It will be useful in our lobbying discussions with MPs.
Zoe
JERUSALEM AND RAMALLAH HEADS OF MISSION
REPORT ON EAST JERUSALEM
SUMMARY
1. East Jerusalem is of central importance to the Palestinians in
political, economic, social and religious terms. Several inter-linked
Israeli policies are reducing the possibility of reaching a final status
agreement on Jerusalem, and demonstrate a clear Israeli intention to turn
the annexation of East Jerusalem into a concrete fact:
a.. the near-completion of the barrier around east Jerusalem, far from the
Green Line;
b.. the construction and expansion of illegal settlements, by private
entities and the Israeli government, in and around East Jerusalem;
c.. the demolition of Palestinian homes built without permits (which are
all but unobtainable);
d.. stricter enforcement of rules separating Palestinians resident in East
Jerusalem from those resident in the West Bank, including a reduction of
working permits;
e.. and discriminatory taxation, expenditure and building permit policy by
the Jerusalem municipality.
2. The plan to expand the settlement of Ma’aleh Adumim into the
so-called “E1” area, east of Jerusalem, threatens to complete the encircling
of the city by Jewish settlements, dividing the West Bank into two separate
geographical areas. The proposed extension of the barrier from East
Jerusalem to form a bubble around the settlement of Ma’aleh Adumim would
have the same effect. 2004 saw a near tripling of the number of Palestinian
buildings demolished in East Jerusalem. We expect a similar number of
demolitions in 2005. 88 homes in the Silwan neighbourhood with demolition
orders outstanding against them attracted much attention in June.
3. When the barrier has been completed, Israel will control access
to and from East Jerusalem, cutting off its Palestinian satellite cities of
Bethlehem and Ramallah, and the rest of the West Bank beyond. This will
have serious economic, social and humanitarian consequences for the
Palestinians. By vigorously applying policies on residency and ID status,
Israel will be able finally to complete the isolation of East Jerusalem –
the political, social, commercial and infrastructural centre of Palestinian
life.
4. Israel’s activities in Jerusalem are in violation of both its
Roadmap obligations and international law. We and others in the
international community have made our concerns clear on numerous occasions,
to varying effect.
Palestinians are, without exception, deeply alarmed about East Jerusalem.
They fear that Israel will “get away with it”, under the cover of
disengagement. Israeli actions also risk radicalising the hitherto
relatively quiescent Palestinian population in East Jerusalem. Clear
statements by the European Union and the Quartet that Jerusalem remains an
issue for negotiation by the two sides, and that Israel should desist from
all measures designed to pre-empt such negotiations, would be timely. We
should also support Palestinian cultural, political and economic activities
in East Jerusalem.
RECOMMENDATIONS
On the political level
a.. Clear statements by the European Union and the Quartet that Jerusalem
remains an issue for negotiation by the two sides, and that Israel should
desist from all measures designed to pre-empt such negotiations.
a.. We might consider issuing a statement focused on the issue of
Jerusalem at the GAERC in November. We could also press for a similar
statement to issue from the Quartet.
a.. Phase One of the Roadmap calls for the re-opening of Palestinian
institutions in East Jerusalem, and in particular the Chamber of Commerce.
The re-opening of these institutions would send a signal to the Palestinians
that the international community takes their concerns seriously, and is
taking action. We might include a call for their re-opening in the
statements referred to above, and explore with the two parties how and when
their re-opening might be accomplished.
a.. Request the Israeli Government to halt discriminatory treatment of
Palestinians in East Jerusalem, especially concerning working permits,
building permits, house demolitions, taxation and expenditure.
a.. The EU might consider and assess the implications and feasibility of
excluding East Jerusalem from certain EU/Israel co-operation activities.
On an operational level
a.. Organise political meetings with the PA in East Jerusalem, including
meetings at ministerial level.
a.. Initiatives (statement letters, contacts, meetings etc.) focused on
issues like access, building permits, the consequences of the barrier etc.
a.. In view of the Palestinian legislative elections scheduled for 25
January 2006, encourage the parties to agree on the terms and substance of
their co-ordination to allow for satisfactory elections to take place in
East Jerusalem, referring to the parties’ obligations under the interim
agreements and the Roadmap (PA to hold elections and Israel to facilitate
them) and taking into account the recommendations formulated in the Rocard
EUEOM report. Offer 3rd party technical assistance and monitoring capacity
if required and adequate.
a.. The Jerusalem Masterplan that is currently in the approval process
should undergo a technical assessment followed by a decision as to how to
evaluate the plan in terms of legal implications, public awareness etc. The
plan currently exists only in Hebrew (the plan should be translated into
Arabic and English).
a.. All MS and EC to increase project activity in East Jerusalem with a
balance between service provision, relief, development and political
projects (taking into consideration the Multi Sector Review). Support for
civil society is important. An inventory of current EC and MS activity in
East Jerusalem would be a useful first step.
a.. Regarding house demolitions for lack of building permits in East
Jerusalem, the EU could pursue various options:
- support legal projects designed to support Palestinians
threatened by house demolitions and those who have been victims thereof
- promote initiatives to legalise “illegal” houses (e.g. through
introducing retroactively alternative town planning schemes)
- facilitate a solution for obtaining building permits
- EU projects with a Palestinian NGO on legal counselling
concerning building permits and house demolitions
- EU project on the development of a master plan for urban planning
and legal housing for Palestinian neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem.
§ Facilitate a solution of the access issue. This would comprise a
range of political and operational measures, both short and long term
§ Support local and international organisations in their information
efforts on East Jerusalem.
§ Enhance EU assistance to Palestinian institutions in East
Jerusalem, including cultural activities and community empowerment.
|
|
 |
|
