Views split on Jerusalem housing plan

by Patrick Benjamin

May 11, 2007

Jewish and Palestinian supporters in Australia are divided over the Israeli government’s plan to build 20,000 new homes for Jews in a settlement in Arab East Jerusalem.

According to an Israeli statement, the plan will see the construction of three Jewish neighbourhoods, which will predominantly cater to young Israeli couples.

The Palestinian supporters believe it will be a setback for the cause of Palestine’s independence and would also fuel the resentment of the people.

Giovanni Torre, an executive member of the Australian Friends of Palestine, said he was concerned over plans to house people who already had homes when others were denied them.

“There are people who live in refugee camps, who have their title deeds and keys to their homes in Haifa, Israel, but they have no right to return.”
 
The Australian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) takes a different stance to the future construction of these settlements. Amanda Shilkin, the WA president of AUJS said: “UN Resolution 242 does not state that all of East Jerusalem needs to be given back.”

She also said Israel did not employ scare tactics and wanted peace as much as the Palestinians.
   
 UN documents claim the land has been illegally occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East War.

The Palestinian authority has said the construction of the homes would serve as a conduit between two major Jewish settlements in the north and south of the city.