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.

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 resourcesDefining government policy regarding residency status and requests for citizenship »

Lead Researchers Dr. Amnon Ramon, Israel Kimhi, Dr. Maya Choshen, Prof. Yitzhak Reiter, Lior LehrsCost 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 »

East Jerusalem and Its Residents