Mayor Teddy Kollek of Jerusalem has taken over the old Arab muktar (headman) system to provide a channel of communication between the Municipal Council and Jerusalem authorities with the mass of Arab residents in East Jerusalem. Mayor Kollek acted after the refusal of the former members of the Municipal Council in the once Jordan-held area to join the Jerusalem Municipal Council.
The 39 muktars or neighborhood headmen formerly held the same positions under the Jordanian regime and provided the contact between the municipality and the population on day-to-day matters such as sewage, water and sanitation. Thirty-six of the 39 appointees attended ceremonies at the City Council chamber to receive their official letters of appointment.
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.
