New factsheet shows pressing challenges to Palestinian presence in Jerusalem

Old City, Jerusalem. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

Source: WCC

A new World Council of Churches (WCC) factsheet entitled 'Jerusalem's Old City: A Future in the Balance' details the pressing challenges facing the Old City's Palestinian residents, advocates for a sustainable and just future where its unique cultural and religious identity can thrive, and provides options that can be pursued from a developmental perspective.

"The Old City is a place of stark contrasts, where immense historical and spiritual wealth coexists with significant modern-day pressures," explains the factsheet. "Understanding the facts on the ground is the first step toward principled engagement and a path forward."

The factsheet contains sections on 'Demographics and Living Space,' 'Property and Stewardship,' and 'Housing and Infrastructure Crisis.'

It also includes 'A Path Forward: Recommendations for Principled Action.' The WCC recommends addressing the challenges facing Jerusalem's Old City through a concerted effort from the international community, faith-based organizations, and civil society.

Specifically, the WCC recommends designating the Old City as a developmental and preservation priority. "Donor agencies, world governments, and international bodies must recognize the Old City not only as a holy site, but as a community in urgent need of sustainable development," recommends the WCC. "This requires dedicated funding and programmatic focus."

The WCC also recommends advocating for removing economic restrictions. "The international community, including church leaders and government policymakers, should pressure the government of Israel to ease the economic restrictions on Palestinian businesses," the factsheet concludes. "This includes facilitating access to finance, simplifying trade from the West Bank, and ensuring fair and equitable taxation."

The factsheet is a product of the work of the WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel under the EU-sponsored project entitled "Maintaining a Lively Palestinian and Bedouin Presence in EAST Jerusalem Through Protective Presence, Monitoring, Documenting, and Advocacy."

Factsheet - Jerusalem's Old City: A Future in the Balance WCC-EAPPI