Israeli PM seeks to expand Jerusalem

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Israeli PM seeks to expand Jerusalem

May 14, 2007 - 7:14AM

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he will seek to expand the borders of Jerusalem and he hopes for eventual world acceptance of Israeli rule in the disputed city.

At a ceremony marking the anniversary of Israel's capture and annexation in 1967 of the city's eastern sector which Palestinians seek as a capital for a future state, Olmert said: "The past 40 years are only the beginning. I believe, hope and pray that we will continue to work together to strengthen Jerusalem, to expand its borders, to cultivate its foundations, to build its neighbourhoods."

In his remarks at the Western Wall remnant of an ancient Jewish temple in Jerusalem, Olmert said Israel hoped to achieve world acceptance of its rule in the city, by respecting its holiness to three faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

"If we do this with wisdom and caution, we will preserve this city always under our sovereignty, complete and united and accepted by the entire world. This is our goal," Olmert said.

About 200,000 Israelis have moved into neighbourhoods Israel has built in Arab East Jerusalem since annexing the area after a 1967 Middle East War and making it a part of its capital in a move not recognised internationally.

The city is also home to about 230,000 Palestinians, most of whom live separately from Israelis.

Israel said last week it had plans to build another 20,000 housing units for Israelis in east Jerusalem, a bid some Palestinian officials condemned as an obstacle to US-backed efforts to revive peace talks long stalled by violence.

A recently revived Arab peace plan Olmert has said he views positively offers Israel normal relations with the Arab world in exchange for a full withdrawal from lands the Jewish state captured in the 1967 War, including east Jerusalem.

Israel's foreign ministry earlier expressed regret some European diplomats had declined invitations to attend a gala parliament session to mark the anniversary of East Jerusalem's capture by the Jewish state.

Israeli PM seeks to expand Jerusalem

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PM pledges NIS 5.75b to develop Jerusalem

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert pledged yesterday to allocate NIS 5.75 billion for urban development projects in Jerusalem over the next five years. However, knowledgeable sources maintained that Olmert was merely announcing the transfer of funds that had been promised to the capital in previous years, for projects that had already been approved.

more........ PM pledges NIS 5.75b to develop Jerusalem
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MK proposes bill to strengthen capital's Jewish demographics

Not enough Jews in Jerusalem? New bill suggests reinforcing Israel's capital with communities in Jerusalem's surrounding area.

What can be done to maintain a Jewish majority in Jerusalem? Likud MK Yisrael Katz has proposed a new bill to help sustain Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Monday, the Knesset is scheduled to hold ceremonies to commemorate 40 years since the unification of Jerusalem. Katz decided that this was the best time to introduce his bill.

"Israel does not have an appropriate response to the Palestinian determination to rule Jerusalem and the holy places. My bill will restore Jerusalem as a symbol for and the heart of the Jewish people," he affirmed.

more.......... MK proposes bill to strengthen capital's Jewish demographics
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Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem until [the coming of] the Anointed One, a Prince, shall be seven weeks [of years] and sixty-two weeks [of years]; it shall be built again with [city] square and moat, but in troublous times.