Jerusalem Day, on Sunday June 5th, marked the 1967 reunification of the city and the Jewish people’s connection with Jerusalem throughout the ages. But how united or divided Jerusalem really is gets debated constantly by politicians, pundits and the residents of Israel’s capital.
The tour explored the political complexity of the reunification of Jerusalem, the reality of it and will introduce Israeli and Arab experts and activists.
The half-day tour was led by Yoni Shapira, a ninth generation Jerusalemite, author and licensed tour guide.
The tour included meetings with:
Mazen Alqaq – Chairman of the Eastern Jerusalem Merchants Association
Shaul Arieli – An expert on the demarcation of the future Israeli-Palestinian border who was a leading negotiator in the process that brought about the 2003 Geneva Initiative. Arieli served as a colonel in the IDF and was commander of the Northern Brigade in Gaza. He oversaw the Gush Katif evacuation in 1994. Arieli argues that Jerusalem must be divided between Israelis and Palestinians.
Chaim Silberstein – Founder and president of the “Keep Jerusalem”, a non profit, non partisan organization founded to educate the public at large as to the importance of a united Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty.
