Date: 20 Jul 00 15:27:30 -0400
From: Lara Saade <rsvp-AT-acj.org>
Subject: Jerusalem: Deal-Maker or Deal-Breaker?


Jerusalem: Deal-Maker or Deal-Breaker?

WASHINGTON, DC  As the Middle East summit at Camp David gets a second
lease on life, the issue of Jerusalem remains at the core of the
lingering differences between Israel and the Palestinians. The Israelis
continue to insist on keeping Jerusalem exclusively under Israeli
sovereignty as the capital of the Jewish state. The Palestinians,
although willing to share with Israel sovereignty over the city, insist
on having East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state to be
declared in September 2000.

The issue of Jerusalem is openly acknowledged by both sides as being the
thorniest and most complex. The future of Jerusalem is extremely
important to all sides. It could be the basis of a far reaching deal
which brings peace, or a deal-breaker. To be credible, any solution to
the future of the city must satisfy the political aspirations of both
the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. It must take into consideration the
sensitivities and attachments of all three faiths to Jerusalem, stated
ACJ President Dr. Rashid Khalidi.

The American Committee on Jerusalem believes that the following
principles constitute the only possible basis for a lasting solution in
Jerusalem:

- Jerusalem is considered holy by the three great monotheistic religions
Christianity, Islam, and
Judaism. No single religion has a greater claim to Jerusalem than any
other.

- There can be no monopoly of sovereignty by either party in Jerusalem
if  there is to be a just and lasting peace. Some formula whereby both
can exercise sovereignty -- whether shared, scattered, divided or
otherwise --  is the only sustainable concept in this regard.

- Both Palestinians and Israelis should have full and equal rights to
exercise all aspects of municipal governance in Jerusalem, including
control over land use, in their respective areas of the city, while
access to and through the city must be guaranteed for all.

Since 1948, successive U.S. administrations have never recognized
Jerusalem as Israel's capital and continue to oppose unilateral actions
by any party in the area that affect the status of the city. The U.S.
government has rejected all attempts by Israel to annex Jerusalem, and
has repeatedly stated that it regards East Jerusalem as occupied
territory, subject to the provisions of United Nations Security Council
Resolution 242. ACJ urges the United States to abide by its own policy
positions on Jerusalem if it seeks to play the role of a credible
sponsor and honest broker at Camp David.

American Committee on Jerusalem * 4201 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 302
Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: (202) 237-0215 * Fax: (202) 244-3196 *
e-mail: acj-AT-acj.org

The ACJ is a coalition of various American organizations and individuals
dedicated to promoting a solution to Jerusalem which addresses the deep
attachments of adherents to the three monotheistic religions to the city
and the political aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis.




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