?Palestinians? make play for Jerusalem

 Printer-friendly version

By Jerusalem Newswire Editorial Staff
April 04, 2005

PA Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia last week attempted to reassert pressure on the international community to force Israel to give up half of Jerusalem, or face the consequences of a perpetual conflict in the region.

"Without Jerusalem there will be no stability, no security and no peace," Qureia warned during Thursday’s “Save Jerusalem” conference in Ramallah.

The conference’s final communiqué blasted what it called Israeli "expropriation of Palestinian land [sic], expansion of (Jewish) settlement, and the construction of the Wall of Annexation [Israel’s security fence].”

The communiqué called on Washington to stop facilitating such “crimes”, and to end its “biased policy” towards Israel.

Qureia said those who seek to unilaterally change Jerusalem “from a city of co-existence into a city of racial hatred, religious enmity and eternal animosity…will be the losers.”

Prior to Israel’s liberation of eastern Jerusalem in 1967, Jews were not allowed to visit their holy sites and Christians suffered religious discrimination under the city’s Muslim rulers. Adherents of all faiths now enjoy access to all areas of Jerusalem under Israel sovereignty.

The Ramallah conference was preceded by Land Day - an annual occurrence when local Arabs commemorate what they say was Israel’s theft of their lands.

As part of Land Day, the Palestinian Authority and its governing body, the PLO, launched a campaign to de-legitimize Jewish claims to Jerusalem.

“Jerusalem is danger, I tell you,” Qureia exclaimed as he wildly waved his arms during a television interview.

Qureia’s interview was accompanied by film clips depicting Jerusalem as a serene and open city under Muslim rule, reported Michael Widlanski.

The return of Jewish sovereignty to the city was presented as a black and spreading plague.

Qureia was joined by other senior PLO/PA officials in claiming the Jews were involved in numerous plots to erase Arab history in Jerusalem, and called on the Palestinian Arab public “confront” and “resist” the Jews.

Related Articles:

• Olmert said secretly bartering with PLO on Jerusalem
• Netanyahu to Bush: Jerusalem is Israel's for eternity
• Minister appeases Muslims on Temple Mount
• Mufti: No Jewish prayers in 'Palestine's' Jerusalem
• Academics wrestle with ramifications of dividing Jerusalem

Support us!
Buy Israeli products

	Tekuma - Story of Israel's Rebirth $58.47 - 55% OFF! DVD box set outlining the miracle of the State of Israel
	Body Care Set $14.95 - 70% OFF! Dead Sea creams nourish and protect
	Medium Shofar $39.95 - 28% OFF! Classical ram's horn shofar

Sponsors: