Though I have always cared about the future of Israel and Palestine, studying the conflict used to cause me to feel hopeless and powerless. I felt like I would never know enough to be able to contribute to nuanced discussion, much less reimagine the current reality. Ironically, one of the most contested cities in history is giving me hope. Jerusalem may be central to conflicts throughout history, but its unique status could be the key to imagining a different reality for Israelis and Palestinians.
I will admit that Jerusalem is incredibly polarizing. Some of the most important sites in Judaism, Islam and Christianity are located there, but the “land of peace” is not always a peaceful land. Israel has claimed the entirety of Jerusalem as its capital since 1980, yet Palestinian nationalists also see Jerusalem as its future capital.
Today, its residents are roughly 60% Israeli Jews and 40% Palestinian non-citizens. The Palestinians, who live mostly in East Jerusalem, hold only permanent residency, which may be revoked at any time. Though they are not able to vote in national elections, East Jerusalemites can vote in municipal elections but tend to abstain as a protest to “the occupier.” Coupling this lack of political representation, 72% of Palestinians in East Jerusalem live below the poverty line, compared to 26% of Jewish families in West Jerusalem.
The Palestinians of East Jerusalem are currently forced to choose between pragmatism and symbolism. What do they value more: improving their economic situation and resources or the future of their nation? Because of this, since 1967, no Palestinian has served on the 31-seat Jerusalem municipal council.
Someone who hopes to change this is Sondos Alhout, an Arab Israeli living in East Jerusalem. In 2023, she led the first Arab-headed list to qualify for the Jerusalem municipal elections. To those who call her a collaborator, she says “You are already collaborating with Israeli authorities, you pay property taxes to the municipality. I’m not the traitor here. At least you should get something in return for your taxes.” Alhout was able to inspire Arab leaders, but how do they get the votes?
One method that improved representation for gender equality is the “zipper list” method used by the 5050 initiative. In 60 Israeli cities, grassroots organizers urged party leaders to alternate men and women on lists and urged voters to only vote for balanced lists. The results were staggering: 20 cities achieved the 50% split. If even a few Arabs could be elected to the Jerusalem municipal council this way, many issues in East Jerusalem could be addressed—like housing demolitions. I believe this landmark increase in representation would lead to greater problem solving within East Jerusalem and could lead to increasing trust between the local government and the Palestinian community.
With increased trust between groups, we can shift from worrying about who controls Jerusalem to who cares for it. This way, Jerusalem could become somewhat of an autonomous zone, with leadership and participation coming from both Israelis and Palestinians. This type of collaboration could inspire efforts for a solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
So, how can we support and be inspired by Jerusalem as St. Louisans? The Israel Center of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis offers consulting for travel to Israel, meaning you can learn more about Jerusalem firsthand and speak with the people who actually live there. Ir Amim is an NGO focused on an equitable and sustainable Jerusalem that leads tours of East Jerusalem, so you can tour not just the Old City and Mahane Yehuda, but also neighborhoods like Issawiya, Silwanand Sur Baher, for a more nuanced trip.
And if a new reality for Jerusalem inspires hope, use that hope to advocate for Israel and the Jewish community here in St. Louis. The Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis provides opportunities for improving intergroup relations, fighting antisemitism and social justice education and advocacy.
Jerusalem is a city with so much division—but also so much potential. Jerusalem could be a model for representation and power sharing that helps to end the Israeli Palestinian conflict, and perhaps other geopolitical conflicts throughout the world. Through collective interest and action, we can aid in reimagining a future for the city that’s better for everyone.
Kathryn Owens, 21, from Des Moines, Iowa, is a Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern studies major at Washington University with a focus on conflict, peacebuilding and cooperation between Israel and the Arab world.
