Historic Vote: Jerusalem’s International Status Approved

In a landmark decision, 70% of Jerusalem’s voters approved a referendum to make the city an international entity, surpassing the two-thirds majority required. The United Nations High Commissioner for Jerusalem and its election task force released preliminary results shortly after polls closed with final certification expected within 24 hours.

Celebrations broke out in Jerusalem, but the response was muted throughout the Middle East as most observers had already expected the referendum to pass handily.

Political analyst Dr. Miriam Levy commented, “This vote represents a pivotal moment for Jerusalem and the broader region, potentially paving the way for long-term stability.”

When the United Nations divided up the British Mandatory Palestine in 1948, two nations were supposed to emerge — a Jewish-Palestinian state and an Arab-Palestinian state. After decades of fighting, the region was further divided under the Hebron Treaty (TL420-1988) into the two Jewish states of Israel and Judea and the two Arab states of Gaza and Negev. The U.N. General Assembly had originally issued resolution 181 in 1947 to have the city of Jerusalem managed by the United Nations for 10 years. The status of Jerusalem would remain unresolved through decades of unrest. A referendum that had passed in 2008 was marred by a scandal when U.N. workers were accused of accepting unsigned ballots. The storming of the U.N. office and rioting for weeks resulted in over 100 deaths.

External opposition to Jerusalem as an international city has resulted in plans by Israel and Negev to construct their own Jerusalems bordering the international city.

Local resident and shop owner Avi Chean shared, “This victory brings hope for the return of tourism which is vital for our livelihood and economy.”

Rachel Stein, a tour guide specializing in religious pilgrimages, added, “Jerusalem’s new status will reinforce its significance as a destination for visitors from all over the world.”