THE JERUSALEM OLD CITY
INITIATIVE
Power Point Presentation
• Canadian University
Research
Undertaking
• Launched 2004
• Extensive
consultations with
experts on all sides
• Based at the
University of
Windsor
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The Premise
• Need for new option beyond Clinton
Parameters for future negotiations
• Given the multi-dimensional uniqueness of
the Old City, any solution must be tailored
to meet stakeholders’ needs
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The Objective
• To provide negotiators with options if
and when permanent status
negotiations resume
• Balance between sustainability and
needs
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Uniqueness
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Necessity for New Approach
• Other elements of comprehensive peace
based on exclusivity
• Old City division not workable
• Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif not
divisible; density and diversity
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Needs Based Approach
Based on a belief that the needs of each party have to
be satisfied, including emotional and symbolic
requirements:
• Old City residents
• Jerusalemites
• Israelis and Palestinians
• Jews, Muslims and Christians
• Political Leaderships
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Space for a Third Party
Common Needs: Areas of Contention
Archaeological
Access to Holy Sites
Excavation
Third Party
Security Property Ownership
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Building on and Beyond Clinton
Parameters
• Single entity
• Contiguity
• Integrity
• Equity
• Effective 3rd party role
• Special governance arrangements
• Old City walls as boundaries
• Duration of agreement
• Assumption on 2 capitals
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All Sides Contribute & Legitimize
INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY
SPECIAL
GOVERNANCE
ARRANGEMENTS
ISRAELIS PALESTINIANS
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Special Governance Arrangements
1. Clear 3rd party, Israeli, and Palestinian roles
2. Source of authority
3. Old City executive authority board composed of
Palestinians and Israelis and of such other states
and international organizations as may be agreed
4. Delegation of authority to the Chief
Administrator
5. Place functions under the special regime
6. Functions under people’s authorities
7. Religious status quo 11
Special Governance Arrangements
• Inter-religious council
• Effective police service
• Residents exercise political rights through:
a) participation in their nations’ processes
b) neighborhood councils
c) other mechanisms
• Transforming Jerusalem conurbation
• Economics
• Finances
• International buy-in
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Possible Single Police Service
• Composition
• Rapid reaction
• Coordination
• Training
• Equipment
• Mandate
• Costs
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The Boundaries
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Entry and Exit Arrangements
at the Jaffa Gate
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Work in Progress
• Phase I - Discussion Document completed Dec. 2005
• Phase II - Security Group study completed Fall 2007
- Governance work completed Summer 2008
- Mandate Elements completed Winter 2010
• Phase III - Property and Archaeological Working Groups
Currently 23 major research papers commissioned
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The Challenges Ahead
• Sovereignty
• Israeli/Palestinian traditional distrust of the
international community
• Instilling confidence, fairness, and
predictability
• Problem areas: e.g., Mount of Olives
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Visit us at
www.uwindsor.ca/jerusaleminitiative
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