Israel in Jerusalem dilemma after bulldozer attack

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-07-04 11:36

But demolition notices would likely draw legal countermoves by Palestinians from East Jerusalem in Israeli courts, as well as international protests that destroying a home the attacker shared with other family members was collective punishment.

"Demolishing the home is not the answer. This is punishment for the family, which had nothing to do with this," Imad Muna, a 44-year-old resident of East Jerusalem, said in Hebrew, noting the bulldozer driver was shot dead during the attack.

BARRIER

Israeli Vice Premier Haim Ramon said re-routing the West Bank barrier to include Palestinian villages Israel considers to be part of East Jerusalem could be a solution. The two attackers came from such communities.

An aerial view shows part of Israel's controversial security barrier around Jerusalem July 3, 2008. [Agencies]

"These are Palestinian villages that were never part of Jerusalem. They were annexed to it in 1967," Ramon said on Army Radio, echoing comments Olmert made several months ago.

However, redrawing the barrier's route would draw fire from Israel's right wing and entail a change in government policy at a time when borders are a central issue of peace talks.

Tightening security in and around East Jerusalem could also be difficult and give the impression of a physical divide in the holy city -- something Israel has long sought to avoid.

"There are 200,000 Arabs in East Jerusalem. You can't put up roadblocks or a fence that would make life unbearable for everyone," one Israeli government official said.

Many of Jerusalem's Jews and Arabs live in neighborhoods that abut each other. They shop at the same malls and share government services.

"(The attack) will hurt co-existence in the city," said Shira Ezra, an 18-year-old Israeli student.

But Muna predicted no radical change in relations between the two communities.

"Once in the while, a crazy person does this kind of thing. But there is co-existence. Most of the people are already at peace," the East Jerusalem resident said.

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