BICOM

In a speech to mark Jerusalem Day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday emphasised his opposition to any re-division of the city. Netanyahu was speaking at the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem – a religious seminary which has played a key role in the development of religious Zionism, and which was the scene of a bloody terrorist attack in 2008. He emphasised the long-standing connection between the city of Jerusalem and the Jewish People. The Prime Minister used the words of a 2000 year old Jewish prayer recited during the Passover festival to stress his intention to continue construction in Jerusalem.  

Despite his uncompromising words yesterday, however, Netanyahu has in the past specified that the Arab neighbourhoods of East Jerusalem would be subject to final status discussions with the Palestinians. In an interview with Israel Channel 2 News last April, Netanyahu drew a distinction between predominantly Jewish neighbourhoods over the Green Line, such as French Hill, which he said would remain part of Israel, and Arab neighbourhoods such as Abu Dis and Shuafat, which he said could ‘legitimately’ be placed under consideration to be ceded to a Palestinian state. The Palestinian Authority claims East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state. In the past, prime ministers Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert have made proposals including plans for the re-partition of Jerusalem.

According to data released by the municipality and the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies (JIIS) yesterday, Jerusalem is currently experiencing an economic boom. According to JIIS data, the number of people applying to open a business grew 30 percent last year, while the number of cultural events doubled and the number of tourists hit an all-time high. Some 2.8 million tourists visited the city last year, resulting in a 24 percent surge in overnight hotel stays.  Nevertheless, the city’s long-standing problems – negative migration, poverty and a growing Haredi population, which historically adds to unemployment- persist.

Jerusalem Day marks the reunification of Jerusalem and the establishment of Israeli control over the Old City following the Six Day War in 1967.