The Historic Basin of Jerusalem – Problems and Possible Solutions
Summary
Publication Year: 2010
The main aim of this study is to highlight different scenarios for an agreement on Jerusalem’s Historic Basin, which as we know, is the spiritual summit of hundreds of millions believers from all over the world, as well as the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. there are two principles underlie this research, the first is that without an agreement on the question of the Historic Basin there is no chance at all to end the conflict between the two sides. the second is that a hard-edged territorial division of sovereignty of the Basin will cause great harm to the functioning of the Basin. The central innovation of this research is the discussion regarding the possibility of international intervention (to various degrees) in administering the basin. Such intervention could improve the chances of reaching an agreement, especially in light of the mistrust that has so deeply permeated the views of each side, as well as in light of the immense religious and cultural importance of the area.
Main Problems
What emerged from these discussions is that no resolution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict nor of the Israeli Arab conflict, can be reached without a reasonable and consensual solution to the problem of Jerusalem, and, above all, the question of the historic basin, which includes the main holy sites and attracts the attention of hundreds of millions of followers of the three monotheistic religions.
Two key approaches may be identified in efforts to find a solution to the problem of Jerusalem. The first advocates the territorial division of the whole city, including the historic basin. The second approach seeks a more uniquely tailored arrangement for the entire city or for the historic basin alone, sometimes with the involvement of a third party.
Principal Alternatives for a Solution in the Historic Basin
The following are alternative solutions for the historic basin conflict: full Israeli sovereignty and control throughout the historic basin, full Palestinian sovereignty and control throughout the historic basin, territorial division between the sides, with international supervision, joint management, division of authorities between the sides and international backing, or management of the Historic Basin by the international body, with the delegation of authorities to both sides.
Alternative Arrangements for the Temple Mount and the Western Wall
The following are alternative solutions for the Temple Mount and Western Wall conflict: full Israeli sovereignty and control throughout the historic basin, full Palestinian sovereignty and control throughout the historic basin, territorial division between the sides, with international supervision, joint management, division of authorities between the sides and international backing, or management of the Historic Basin by the international body, with the delegation of authorities to both sides.
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Published As Part Of Project
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and Peace Process
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