Israeli plan for East Jerusalem: A trial run in annexation

The government's plan to inject funds into East Jerusalem to 'strengthen' the area is really a means to take this part of the city off the diplomatic agenda and further secure Jewish enclaves there.

By Nir Hasson | Jun. 30, 2014

The government plan to strengthen Israel’s control over East Jerusalem, approved Sunday by the cabinet, did not emerge from a vacuum. It’s the product of a right-wing perspective that’s shared by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, who also holds the Jerusalem Affairs portfolio. The essence of this approach is breaking down the issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the status of Jerusalem into components including economics, education and infrastructure.

It’s no coincidence that both Barkat and Bennett came to politics from the world of business, from which they apparently brought the notion that if you can’t beat them, you can buy them. They believe that the best way to take Jerusalem off the diplomatic agenda is to add funding and improve the economy in the eastern part of the city.

“The premise underlying the civilian elements in this plan is the existence of a close link between the scope and level of violence by East Jerusalem residents, and the standard of living in the eastern neighborhoods,” according to the announcement released by the Prime Minister’s Bureau.

Bennett sees the scheme as a pilot for implementation of his diplomatic proposals, which would ultimately have Israel annex and undertake a similar plan in Area C in the West Bank (which is under full Israeli civil and security control), and thus nullify the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state.

in full: http://www.haaretz.com/news/1.602097