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Israel Signals Willingness to Split Jerusalem

Jordan would assume control in exchange for truce with Palestinians

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 8, 2007 4:50 PM CDT

(Newser) – Israel appears willing to consider splitting Jerusalem to achieve peace with the Palestinians, ahead of a critical November summit in Annapolis, Md. A deputy PM said almost “all Palestinian neighborhoods would be transferred.” The Jewish state reportedly has also considered transferring the city’s holiest site—already partly administered by Jordan—to Amman, the London Times reports.

In a peculiar turn, some from Israel’s extreme right welcomed the development, with one saying, “We must make concessions.” The city's status has long been a sticking point in the Middle East conflict. Neither side would reveal much about preliminary negotiations, but a Palestinian paper reported the prime ministers have already agreed to Jordanian control of the Temple Mount.

In this photo released by the Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, talks to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in the sukkah, a traditional shack built for the week long Jewish holiday of Sukkot, in the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007.   Deeply divided on...
In this photo released by the Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, talks to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in the sukkah, a traditional shack built for the week long...   (Associated Press)
An aerial view shows the Al-Aqsa mosque compound with the Dome...
An aerial view shows the Al-Aqsa mosque compound with the Dome...   (Getty Images)
A Palestinian worshipper kneels in prayer ourside the Dome of...
A Palestinian worshipper kneels in prayer ourside the Dome of...   (Getty Images)
A Jewish man blows a Shofar or Ram's horn as he stands at a viewing...
A Jewish man blows a Shofar or Ram's horn as he stands at a viewing...   (Getty Images)
In front of the Dome of the Rock, Muslims take part in prayers...
In front of the Dome of the Rock, Muslims take part in prayers...   (Getty Images)
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