How Do Israeli (Jewish) Protest Groups Envision a Political Solution to the Jerusalem Question?

Abstract

After 1967, Israeli protest groups across the political spectrum developed various positions regarding the future of Palestinian East Jerusalem. In the framework of their visions for peace the political platforms of Israeli protest groups encompass various views, which have not remained static. This contribution investigates the political positions of liberal Zionist and leftist groups concerning Jerusalem’s future, focusing specifically on the period 1987–2003. It focuses on broad themes, particularly examining how the ideological ‘national consensus’ on Jerusalem, accepted by the liberal Zionist groups, influenced their views. Two points need to be made at the outset: firstly, against the background of this discussion, it is important to note that most Israeli protest groups restrict their activities to East Jerusalem, which they understand as occupied Jerusalem. West Jerusalem is normally treated as de facto Israeli territory, and is excluded from their endeavours. This is contrary to the Palestinian belief that the question of the right to return to their pre-1948 properties in the western side of the city should be readdressed (see Figure 9.1). Thus, in a more encompassing discussion, West Jerusalem should also be considered as contested territory. However, this chapter focuses on Israeli groups that have been informed by the status quo in post-1967 Jerusalem (see Figure 9.1). Secondly, the political groups discussed in this chapter are on the left wing of Israeli politics, representing approximately 10–12 percent of the population.¹ Therefore the majority of the Israeli population, whose views are contrary to the protest groups’ peace proposals, are not represented here.