Sharing United Jerusalem

Outlines economic and political developments within Jerusalem, covering ethnic violence, advances in Arab rights, social programmes, the importance of religion, and the way in which the city is governed. Bitterness and tension still obviously impinge on many aspects of life, but the authorities are doing everything possible to ensure that a lasting peace will come eventually. Concludes that "the basic dilemma that confronts us in the governance of Jerusalem is... (that) we are trying to run a democratic municipal administration in a city where most of the population, Jewish and Arab alike, lack democratic traditions". Important statement, which is both balanced and conciliatory; Kollek has been mayor of Jerusalem since 1965. Particularly noteworthy is the forthright condemnation of Ariel Sharon, who made a provocative political statement by moving into a building in a Muslim quarter of the city. Valuable reading for those concerned with Arab-Israeli relations, especially relevant to debate on the 'intifada'.