The first anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem will be celebrated on May 25 — the day, according to the Jewish calendar, when Israeli troops reached the West Wall last June. But the festivities will be limited to western Jerusalem under an agreement reached today between Mayor Teddy Kollek and his city councillors. Mayor Kollek explained that the event was not one of rejoicing for East Jerusalem Arabs and the city did not want to stage festivities in which they could not join so soon after the Independence Day parade.
It was learned today, meanwhile, that United States Ambassador Walworth Barbour had conveyed to Foreign Minister Abba Eban last week Washington’s opposition to the celebration of “conquest of Jerusalem” day. Other Western envoys have expressed a similar stand. Mayor Kollek said reunification day will be one of “internal celebrations.” President Zalman Shazar and Foreign Minister Eban are expected to attend a City Council meeting on that day. Other events scheduled are a two-day march from Latrun to the West Wall. Latrun, a control point on the old Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway, was a fiercely contested battle site during Israel’s war for independence in 1948. The National Religious Party said it would organize a pilgrimage to Jerusalem on reunification day.
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.
