Olmert says Israel will have to compromise on Jerusalem

Maariv ^ | June 7, 2004 | Tal Yamin-Wolvovich

[Piranha]

Maariv exclusive: Deputy PM foresees transfer of capital's northeastern neighborhoods to Palestinians, but reiterates commitment to full Israeli sovereignty over other sites, including Temple Mount.

During Ehud Olmert’s two tenures as the Mayor of Jerusalem, he was the first to object to any proposal that would compromise the “unity of Israel’s eternal capital”. Today, as deputy prime minister and the leader of the dovish camp in the cabinet, Olmert is singing a different tune.

In an interview with NRG Maariv, Olmert introduced for the first time a possibility for a compromise in Jerusalem, which will place the northeast neighborhoods of the capital under Palestinian sovereignty.

“In the future and in the framework of the efforts to improve the demographic balance”, says Olmert, “Isawiya, Kfar Akeb, Tzur Baher, Um Tuba, the Shuafat refugee camp and the neighborhood of Anata – will all be on the eastern side of the borderline, and not under Israeli control”.

Olmert, who has future aspirations of becoming a prime minister, said he was encouraged by the support of Likud ministers Netanyahu, Livnat and Shalom – all potential rivals for job of premier – who voted in favor of the disengagement plan in yesterday’s cabinet vote.

Sharon’s biggest achievement, he says, is that he managed to persuade the three senior Likud ministers to vote for a plan that commits in principle to evacuating all Gaza settlements in addition to four in Samaria.

Regarding Temple Mount, Olmert is absolutely unwilling to compromise. "I don't see any possibility at any time to compromise and minimize our full sovereignty at the Temple Mount and its vicinity", he said. "There's also no need for it. We can guarantee Muslim rights and Christian freedom of worship without mixing it up with our political sovereignty, which is ours only". Olmert also noted that in any future agreement, "the Mount of Olives, Sheikh Jarrah, Wadi Joz and Ras al-Amud must remain under Israeli sovereignty".

Olmert believes that transferring some neighborhoods to the Palestinians will not harm Israeli interests. "I will not view it as fundamentally undermining our sovereignty in Jerusalem", he said. "Jerusalem is dear to me but we shouldn't lose a sense of proportion, Tzur Baher is not symbol of the Jewish ethos in the city".

Olmert also noted that the three senior ministers opposed to disengagement did come around and join Sharon at the end, albeit at the last moment. This was done hesitatingly and caused considerable damage, he said, but at the end of the day they did vote in favor of dividing up the country, a decision with great historical significance, which makes it so important.

The Plan approved yesterday does not include timetables for the removal of Gaza Strip settlements, but Olmert says that the evacuation will start as early as March 2005. The Deputy PM also says he is not afraid of the settlers' reaction. "It reminds me of the evacuation of the Sinai. Then too we thought it would be difficult, but at the end the resistance was light. I estimate that here too the resistance won't be intolerable".

[Piranha]

ONce again, the Israelis are negotiating against themselves.

[E Rocc]

Actually, I eventually expect a deal that gives the Palis the Muslim Quarter of the Old City and the Haram al-Sharif, along with a corridor similar to the old West Germany-Berlin route between Gaza and the West Bank, in exchange for the "settlement suburbs" adjacent to the Green Line. Religious sites shared by two or more faiths might be governed by a commision representing the Jews, various Christians, and Muslims, perhaps under the juristiction of the Vatican. Consulate rights would allow Jews to live, study, and worship in close proximity to places like Rachel's Tomb and Patriarchs. Under international law, the Palestinians would have the right to PNG fanatics and chronic troublemakers.

-Eric

[adam_az]

This is so stupid.

Even Peres did not go this far!

The PALESTINIAN ARABS should be making concessions!

[Lijahsbubbe]

They can try what they want. It won't last. Jerusalem belongs to the Jews.

Forever

[Piranha]

Even Peres did not go this far!

Barak did.

[LincolnLover]

Seriously, does anyone really believe that both sides could ever reach an agreement on Jerusalem?

Borders of a Pali state? Yeah.

Some sort of resolution to the whole "right of return" issue? Yup, even if that means paying some sort of monetary compensation or some sort of similar nonsense to those that voluntarily left...err, "lost their land" back in 1948.

Jerusalem being entirely controlled by one or the other (as they both insist over and over and over)...uh, no.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the partition plan call for making Palestine an international city under UN protection?

Of course, all this would serve in all likelihood is getting UN peacekeepers shot at by troublemakers on both sides...

[LincolnLover]

Sorry, obviously meant Jerusalem, not Palestine.