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Holy4All 

The current political leadership of both the Israeli and Palestinian national movements is dominated by radical Jewish and Islamic religious groups. These radical factions were the primary instigators that derailed attempts to bring peace and reconciliation through the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s. Now, these same hardline religious groups are pushing the longstanding national conflict between Israelis and Palestinians into an increasingly bitter religious war, with the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount serving as the central flashpoint of this protracted struggle.

Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif, is a site of deep religious significance for Jews and Muslims. For Jews, it is the location of the ancient Jewish Temples and the holiest site in Judaism, some aspire to rebuild the Temple there. For Muslims, Haram al-Sharif is one of the most sanctified sites in Islam, containing the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from this site, making it a crucial component of Islamic faith and identity.

Shared Governance Framework

The Old City of Jerusalem serves as a testament to humanity's shared heritage, transcending nationalistic boundaries and exclusive religious affiliations. Hence, UN resolution 181 (II) on 29 November 1947, often referred to as the “Partition Resolution”, envisaged a demilitarized Jerusalem as a corpus separatum under the aegis of the UN Trusteeship Council". However, when the British mandate of Palestine came to an end in 1948, a war broke out and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan controlled the Old City of Jerusalem. Following the 1967 war, Israel gained control of the Old City of Jerusalem and continues to control it to this day.

Holy4All revisited previous frameworks for Jerusalem such as:

and articulated an updated framework relevant for 2024 challenges.

Holy4All calls for​

  • Immediate establishment of a Shared Governance Framework in the Walled Old City of Jerusalem, decoupled from Israel-Palestine Negotiations. 

  • Expedited Shared Governance Framework via a binding UNSC resolution.

  • Form an Interfaith council alongside a Governance board.

  • The Shared Governance Framework will Not Prejudice any party sovereignty claims.​

​​

The Shared Governance Framework responsibilities include:

  • Policing and security

  • Heritage and archaeological oversight

  • Regulating access and movement

  • Urban planning and zoning

  • Property registration and transfer

  • Ensuring equal status and rights for all residents and visitors

 

The core elements of the Shared Governance Framework are:

  • A Governance Board, serving as the oversight authority, comprising representatives from Israel, Palestine, other states, and international organizations.

  • An Interfaith Council, consisting of representatives from various denominations within the three Abrahamic faiths.​

  • A Chief Administrator, reporting to the Governance Board.

  • A Chief of Police, reporting to the Chief Administrator.

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JOCI - Mandate Elements for the Old City Special Regime

The Old City encompasses all aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With overlapping claims, systemic distrust, multiple stakeholders, deep religious divides and the impracticability of physical division.

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JOCI - Governance Discussion Document

The Old City Special Regime would neither resolve nor seek to resolve competing claims to sovereignty over the Old City and its Holy Sites. Facilitating the smooth functioning of life within this highly contested space without prejudicing the sovereignty claims of either side.

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JOCI - Security Assessment

These proposed security arrangements are designed to address the fundamental security and law enforcement needs of the Old City and its residents, while ensuring freedom of worship, dignity, access, and equity of treatment for all stakeholders.

Holy4All Advantages & Benefits

Establishing a Shared Governance Framework in Jerusalem's Old City, enacted through a binding UN Security Council resolution, offers significant advantages and benefits.
It would create an Equitable Oasis of Coexistence - a unique space transcending national claims and providing equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis and followers of all faiths.
This interfaith governance model, with sacred sites under a diverse religious council, would protect religious groups and prevent unilateral agendas of radical Jewish or Islamic forces from prevailing. Importantly.
The special regime would pose no threat to Israel's security, while also not prejudicing any party's sovereignty claims. 
This plan could be rapidly implemented upon a binding UNSC resolution.
By providing equal rights and access for adherents of all faiths, the special regime would disempower radical religious-nationalist forces on both sides, weakening their ability to stoke conflict and division.

 

Holy4All

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