Special Issue on Jerusalem - "East Jerusalem: Emerging Changes over the Past Decade"
Several years after our last exploration of the significant and complex theme of Jerusalem, we are proud to present a dedicated issue focused on the evolving dynamics in this historic city. Jerusalem has held paramount importance throughout history, as evident in its separate treatment in the 1947 Partition Plan due to its unique religious and national significance. Even before the creation of Israel, Jerusalem received privileged attention from various arms of the World Zionist Organisation, emphasizing its special status. Post the 1967 occupation, Jerusalem's importance was further solidified with the enactment of a special law.
Despite its central role, Jerusalem remains a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, showcasing the settler enterprise's direction. The city serves as a metaphorical laboratory, mirroring the subsequent steps of the settler movement. The Israeli policy, characterized by spatial planning, isolates and fragments Jerusalem, turning its neighborhoods into scattered islands amidst interconnected Jewish quarters and settlements. This intentional separation extends beyond the city's borders, exacerbating the sense of estrangement for Arab residents.
Jerusalem's unique position reflects the broader conflict, acting as a resilient symbol of resistance against policies of erasure. The city has witnessed successive uprisings over the years, each time reaffirming its Arab Palestinian identity. In this issue, we delve into various aspects of Jerusalem, providing in-depth analyses and perspectives on its current state.
Rasem Khamaysi's op-ed explores the concept of the "temporary" within Jerusalem, shedding light on how Israel treats Palestinians as temporary residents, while Jerusalemites perceive the occupation as transient. Ahmed Izz ad-Din As'ad focuses on Jerusalemite movements, emphasizing the resilience of the population in the face of colonial structures. Samirah Elayyan, a researcher on education, compares the educational curricula of the Palestinian National Authority and Israel, examining the "Israelisation" of educational content.
Titled "East Jerusalem: Emerging Changes over the Past Decade," this issue features various distinctive articles contributing to a nuanced understanding of Jerusalem's evolving landscape. Notably, following the November 2022 Israeli elections, a dialogue involving representatives from Arab parties in Israel attempts to navigate the future of Arab-Palestinian political action after the rise of the settler, religious right wing. Additionally, the issue includes book reviews, a section on the Zionist archive and literature, and updates on key Israeli publications.
We believe this collection provides valuable insights into the complex realities of Jerusalem and encourages thoughtful reflection on the challenges and changes the city has undergone in the past decade.
