Jerusalem Palestinians Face Neglect, Displacement
A recent $1 billion Arab League pledge is not expected to go far in a city that is severely neglected and devoid of political representation, reports Jihan Abdalla.
JERUSALEM — Once the political, social and commercial hub for Palestinians, Jerusalem has slowly disintegrated into an isolated, neglected and impoverished city as Israel continues to tighten its grip on the Holy City.
Cut off from adjacent Palestinian cities in the occupied West Bank by Israeli army checkpoints and a separation barrier, residents of east Jerusalem say they struggle to protect their livelihoods and presence in the city.
When Israel occupied east Jerusalem including the Old City in 1967, in violation of international law, Palestinians living there were given permanent-resident status rather than citizenship.
Since then, Palestinians say, Israel has sought to force them out of the city and established a Jewish majority that would make any peace deal that would divide the city impossible.
