Status of Electricity in Jerusalem: It's Complicated
The unique problems of the Jerusalem District Electricity Co. mirror the wider conflict between Palestine and Israel, writes Daoud Kuttab.
In most countries electricity generation and distribution is a government regulated monopoly. It's no different in Jerusalem.
Electricity concessions for Jerusalem was granted to Greek national Yorbides Mifrotes in 1914 when it was under Turkish rule. After international litigation the concession was passed on to the Jerusalem Electric Co. in 1926. Under Jordanian rule the company expanded its operation to include nearby cities and villages in the north, south and east of the city. A board of trustees was set up made up of representatives of the mayors of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, Ramallah, Al Bireh and later Jericho. In 1953 Jordan had to agree to an Israeli request to set up an Israeli electricity company to supply power to the parts of the city that had become Israel.
In 1967 after the Israeli occupation, Israel insisted to name the representatives for the annexed east Jerusalem and the advisor for Arab affairs at the Israeli mayors office became the de facto holder of the East Jerusalem municipalities board membership.
Palestinian countered with strong leaders such as Ruhi Khatib, Ahmad Afif, Elias Freij and Anwar Nuseibeh to turn the company into a symbol of Palestinian nationalism and one of the key institutions of Arab east Jerusalem. Protests and demonstrations were held throughout the 1970s and 80s to defend the rights of the electricity company and to preserve its concession.
