Tomorrow, May 8,
marks Jerusalem Day, and as the celebrations get under way,
The Times of Israel is reporting on the national obsession... demographics:
In 2012, some 22,800 babies were born in Jerusalem, of whom 14,600
were Jewish and 7,900 were Muslim. Fertility rates for Jews in Jerusalem
were far higher than the national average: In 2011 the average Jewish
woman in the capital had 4.24 children, as compared to 2.98 in the
country as a whole. The average Muslim woman in Jerusalem had 3.71
children, slightly higher than the national average of 3.51 among
Muslims.
As we brace ourselves for news of the celebrations, Jerusalem's mayor is spreading the joy. Ma'an:
Mayor wants 'sole Jewish rule' in Jerusalem
Israel's mayor of Jerusalem said Tuesday that Palestinians will never
have sovereignty in the Holy City, suggesting that they rename Ramallah
as "northern Jerusalem" instead.
Speaking to The Times of Israel news site, Nir Barkat said it was in
Jerusalem's DNA to be under "sole Jewish rule" and pressure from the
international community to stop building on occupied territory was
"illegal."
"The answer is no separation of the city … If the world pushes us
there, it’s just a matter of time before things will fall apart," Barkat
told the Times on the eve of Jerusalem Day, a controversial national
holiday celebrating what Israelis call the "reunification" of the
city.........
Barkat said it was "ridiculous" that Jews were not allowed to pray in
the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa compound and added that he was
uncomfortable with the status quo on the issue.
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