1. East Jerusalem and Its Residents
The Challenge Some 300,000 people live in East Jerusalem. For the most part, they do not hold citizenship but rather
residency status. Poverty rates are high, educational achievements are low and infrastructures – water supply,
sewage, roads and sidewalks – are in a poor state. Moreover, difficulties in the area of land management make
planning and building works difficult. The challenge here is to improve the quality of life for the residents
of East Jerusalem.
The Project Plan This project will encompass several elements:
An analysis of the unique legal status (residency) of East Jerusalem residents and »» of processes associated
with citizenship, and policy recommendations
»»Mapping the neighborhoods: Creating a database with information on East Jerusalem’s 20-some
neighborhoods – their characteristics, social structure, education system, employment and infrastructures.
Proposals will be made to municipal-level decision makers regarding ways to improve services and
infrastructures in the urban/neighborhood space
»»Mapping and analyzing areas of tension and friction between Jewish and Arab residents of Jerusalem
(Mount Zion, Sheikh Jarrah, etc.) and evaluating regulations that impact on the fabric of life
»»Roundtable meetings with the participation of JIIS researchers, professionals and experts in the field,
and policy planners. They will explore and evaluate the issues and problems pertaining to daily life in
East Jerusalem (water supply, education, welfare, transportation, etc.) at the municipal and national
levels and formulate recommendations for change.
Anticipated Products »»A policy paper will be published that presents an analysis of the situation regarding residency status for
East Jerusalem‘s Arab residents and recommendations for improving the situation
»»Neighborhood reports outlining local challenges
»» Policy recommendations for easing tensions in areas of conflict and improving the management of
daily life
»»As an outcome of the roundtable meetings and other activities, policymakers will be presented with
a detailed description of the situation in East Jerusalem, particularly problem areas, with the goal that
policy will be amended to facilitate improvements
Anticipated Impact »» Shaping municipal and national policy for improving the quality of life in East Jerusalem at the
“macro”-municipal level and the more “micro” level (that is, the different neighborhoods) and proposing
an appropriate allocation of resources
»»Defining government policy regarding residency status and requests for citizenship
Lead Researchers Dr. Amnon Ramon, Israel Kimhi, Dr. Maya Choshen, Prof. Yitzhak Reiter, Lior Lehrs
Cost »» Publication on residency status: $90,000
»» Policy paper on friction areas: $60,000
»»Neighborhood reports: $60,000 per report
»» 10 roundtable meetings + a Final Report on those meetings: $50,000
The Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies (founded in 1978) is an independent,
non-profit think tank, which has been engaged in the study of Jerusalem since its
inception. JIIS research covers a vast range of areas of life in Jerusalem: population,
economy, education, culture, tourism, environment, and more. Key to our success is
our closely guarded integrity, independence, and quality.