Jerusalem’s City Council has approved Hebrew street names in several Palestinian neighbourhoods of East Jerusalem.The areas involved include Silwan, Al Tour, Shaikh Jarrah and Ras Al Amoud.

The decision was made despite the escalation of clashes in East Jerusalem and against the recommendations of retired Supreme Court of Justice Jacob Turkel, who heads the advisory committee on naming the streets. The recommendation letter asks “to reconsider whether it is proper at this time, given the complex and delicate situation in the East Jerusalem.”

The Joint Arab List, a political bloc in the Israeli regime’s parliament, rejected the decision. “New street names are part of the ongoing attempts to Judaise occupied East Jerusalem and falsify history,” said Ahmad Al Tibi, a Palestinian member of the Israeli Knesset in a Joint Arab List statement.

The council’s decision was warmly welcomed by Israeli hard line members of the Knesset who branded the decision an important step to strengthen Israel’s sovereignty in East Jerusalem.

“There is a war on sovereignty in Jerusalem as well as on the historical identity of the city. The council’s decision is an important step in the struggle over historical symbols of the Jewish nation belonging to its eternal capital,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely.

bbabo.Net