An Israeli law that had required East Jerusalem Arabs to register their property in Israel by Feb. 23 has been postponed until May 21, Justice Minister Yaacov S. Shapiro announced today. The United Nations Security Council was preparing over the weekend to meet at the request of Jordan–where the Arab property had previously been registered–who complained about the law.
Jordan’s UN envoy, Muhammed H. el-Ferra, said Saturday in a letter to Security Council presi- dent Armand Berard, of France, that the measure–which had not been extended at the time of the complaint–“threatens not only the economic life of Christians and Moslems of Jerusalem but also international peace and security.”
The complaint focused on an Administrative Regulation Law published last Aug. 23 in the Israeli Official Gazette. A spokesman for the Israeli UN Mission said the law was merely a requirement for renewal of all licenses for businesses and professional men in the Jerusalem area. It was understood to be an element of a 1967 parliamentary act that unified East and West Jerusalem under Israeli rule following the Six-Day War.
The Jordanian spokesman held that the “law sets out the principles in the Jerusalem area that mean that all businesses and professional men must be amalgamated with Israeli counterparts or become Israelis themselves.” He called the measure repressive. He said that Israel disregarded the July 4, 1967 Security Council resolution forbidding any change in Jerusalem’s status.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
