The publication of flyers published by Jerusalem Councilman Aryeh King (United Jerusalem) calling upon eastern Jerusalem Arab residents to leave has created a storm. The article appearing in Yediot Yerushalayim sparked an angry response from left-wing parties in the Jerusalem City Council, including Councilwoman (Meretz) Laura Wharton, as the latter has filed a police complaint against King.

King has Arabic flyers distributed to the homes of Arab residents encouraging them to enter into negotiations with state officials to reach a compensation deal to leave their homes.

In response to King’s effort to encourage Arabs to leave their homes in the eastern capital, the Yerushalmim party released the following message to the media. “The faction condemns the recent action of Councilman Aryeh King. Arab residents of Jerusalem are our neighbors and they will continue to be our neighbors. King’s comments do not reflect Judaism or Torah, and disfigure the face of Judaism and Jerusalem. Extremists have a very narrow view of the world while Jerusalem requires a broad, encompassing and accepting vision and this is how the Yerushalmim faction will continue to operate.”

The Hisorarus party’s statement reads “Hisorarus in Jerusalem views with disgust the provocative act that brings serious damage and is horribly invasive in its attempt to forces its position. King’s political, religious and hashkafic view regarding thousands of residents of this city, their homes and protected castles of each individual. No resident of the City of Jerusalem should awaken in the morning and find out at his doorstep is a call to leave his home and his city.”

Wharton last week filed a complaint with police alleging King’s actions are in violation of laws prohibiting incitement. She is joined by opposition leader Pepe Allalu, who contacted Mayor Nir Barkat, demanding that he oust King from the city coalition government, denouncing his actions, which he calls “outrageous actions that harm residents, citizens and the city’s image.”

In response to the report the mayor’s office released the following message. “Jerusalem Municipality does not recognize and is not connected in any way and assumes no responsibility for the private actions of an elected public official who acted on his own volition. We suggest turning to him to receive a direct response. It is unnecessary to add that the statements were not made with the knowledge of the mayor and as you are aware, the official policy of City Hall is formulated by orderly discussion and collective policy making decisions and not by the unilateral actions of an individual councilman.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)