Without a settlement of the issue of Jerusalem "there can be no solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh told public radio Thursday.
"It is a complex problem, but we must stick to our red line, which is that the city must not be divided. That means we have to be flexible and creative at the municipal level," he said.
"We can be flexible about such matters as rubbish disposal, water, electricity and health care," he added.
Sneh's view that a final settlement must include Jerusalem is not shared by all members of the government.
Minister without Portfolio Haim Ramon, who is responsible for Jerusalem and regarded as close to Barak, has said on the contrary the question of the city must be put off for a later date if there is to be an agreement on a peace accord at the summit now underway between Israel and the Palestinians at Camp David.
The Israeli press has recently reported that Israel would be willing to grant extensive autonomous powers to Palestinians in various areas of the city.
Media reports have also indicated that some of the areas where the Palestinian Authority already has some de facto powers could come under its total control, in exchange for extending the city limits to take in the Jewish settlements on its edges.
The areas in question were included in Jerusalem when Israel unilaterally extended the municipal borders after it occupied the eastern part of the city and the West Bank in 1967. The Palestinian Authority has taken over such matters as education, sports and culture in them.
The Israeli media have also reported that Prime Minister Ehud Barak is envisaging a special status for the old city, where the three main monotheistic religions -- Judaism, Christianity and Islam -- have their holy sites - OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AFP)
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
