Palestinians Vote With Their Feet

The Washington Post finds that the Palestinians of eastern Jerusalem are moving to Jewish neighborhoods more used to the "settlement" label.

Many of the 250,000 Palestinians who are residents of East Jerusalem, but who are not Israeli citizens, are equally concerned about losing access to Israeli services such as medical care and social security if their neighborhoods became part of a Palestinian state. A growing number are moving into predominantly Jewish neighborhoods such as French Hill or Pisgat Zeev -- areas that Palestinian officials consider to be illegal Israeli settlements . . . .

Natshe said many of these families would prefer to move to predominantly Arab neighborhoods such as Beit Hanina, with 26,000 residents, or Shuafat, with 36,000, both of which are on the Israeli side of the barrier, except for a portion of Shuafat. But there is virtually no housing available in these areas. Prices have become so high that it is cheaper to rent or buy in neighboring Pisgat Zeev, where a three-bedroom apartment can be rented for about $1,000 a month. A similar apartment in Beit Hanina is at least $1,400.

And The Media Line recently reported that the grand mufti of the Palestinian Authority, Sheikh Muhammad Hussein gave a religious ruling permitting buying or renting in Jewish neighborhoods.

So if you still believe some media reports raising the specter of Israeli discrimination, consider the following:

The Palestinians wouldn't go through the stress of moving if the Israeli health, work, education and welfare benefits weren't significant.
Had the Palestinians exercised their right to vote in municipal elections, there would surely be more housing available in the Arab neighborhoods.
Palestinians moving to predominantly Jewish neighborhoods strengthens the argument that Jews and Arabs can live anywhere in Jerusalem. What does this say about other municipal housing and transportation initiatives?

Post your comments below.

Posted at 07:18 PM