The highest body which represents the Palestinian Civil Society (PNGO) and the Coalition for Jerusalem which enfolds Religious Dignitaries, Public Figures and Professional Associations, in addition to the Palestinian NGO Community in East Jerusalem, are hereby calling on the highest European Union diplomatic representation in Brussels to painstakingly consider the publication of this year’s European Union report on East Jerusalem and not to put its contents on ice. The Middle East peace process is at a critical junction now. And Europe may still have time to rethink its positions in order to play an active role in the Middle East by supporting the enactment of International law. Read more about EU should publish report on Jerusalem, says Palestinian coalition
The Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) appears to be on the eve of another possible defining moment, this time triggered by the proclaimed cessation of hostilities between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority and the GoI’s call for the resumption of peace talks. In light of the possibility that the EU will consider that these developments constitute a sensitive juncture in the MEPP and that they therefore call for the EU to speak with extreme caution, we would like to convey our hope that the EU will not fail again to publish its report on east Jerusalem this year. Read more about Open Letter to EU urges publication of report
Out of the 120,000 eligible Palestinian voters, only 5,767 are allowed to elect in East Jerusalem. Voters are not allowed to cast their vote in a secret ballot, but in an absentee ballot form. During the Presidential election on January 9, 2005, Israel disrupted the voting process, intimidated the electorate, forbade campaigning and referred to Palestinian voters as Post Office customers. All Palestinian efforts to renegotiate and coordinate for the upcoming legislative elections came to little avail. Since yesterday Israel allowed for conditional election campaigning. This is insufficient to lead to free, fair and transparent elections. Read more about Arrangements of Jerusalem vote draws criticism
