Note: The translations of articles from the Hebrew press
are prepared by the Government Press Office
as a service to foreign journalists in Israel.
They express the views of the authors.
East Jerusalemites will not be stripped of Permanent Residency even after 7 years
(Article by Dalia Shehori, "Ha'aretz, Oct 18, 1999)
The Ministry of the Interior will no longer cancel the permanent resident
status of Arab residents of East Jerusalem who have lived outside Israel
for more than seven consecutive years, provided they maintain an
"appropriate connection" with Israel. This decision was taken yesterday by
Interior Minister Natan Sharansky following consultations with Justice
Minister Yossi Beilin, Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein and Minister
Haim Ramon.
The State Attorney's Office will formulate this policy, which will be
included in the state's response to several appeals which have been
submitted to the High Court of Justice. The new policy will go into effect
within the next few days.
Sharansky noted that three months ago, on assuming the post of Interior
Minister, he announced his intention to change this policy, which he
considered unreasonable.
According to the previous policy, residency status of East Jerusalem
residents was revoked if they lived abroad for seven consecutive years and
established the center of their life elsewhere.
Under the new policy, an "appropriate connection" for a resident living
abroad is defined as having family in East Jerusalem whom he visits
periodically. In short, Sharansky explained, this means that whoever is
currently considered a resident of Jerusalem will remain so, and the
Interior Ministry will no longer demand proof of uninterrupted residency,
such as water and electric bills for the last ten years.
From now on, Sharansky said, the fact that an East Jerusalemite resides
abroad for a number of years, in Arab countries or elsewhere, will not be
cause to revoke his permanent residency status. The Interior Ministry, he
said, must look out for everyone's human rights, including those living in
East Jerusalem.
Sharansky said that the new policy will serve "those who believe that
Jerusalem must remain part of the State of Israel and under Israeli
sovereignty."