This article has been translated from its original Hebrew.

The new policy paper released by Ir Amim, “Hope from Jerusalem: 13 Principles for a Future of Israeli-Palestinian Peace in Jerusalem as the Capital of Two Peoples,” reminds us that even now – indeed, at every moment – it is vital to engage with the political future of Jerusalem.

Published in October 2024, the paper calls for shifting Jerusalem’s role from a recurring obstacle pushed to the margins of political discourse to a catalyst for a comprehensive agreement. It presents a framework of 13 principles for a political resolution in the city, along with concrete steps that could be implemented once Israel elects leaders genuinely committed to peace. Ir Amim’s vision reframes Jerusalem not as an insurmountable barrier, but as an opportunity: a shared, multi-identity city where – despite deep divisions and ongoing conflict – people already live side by side.

The first principle echoes the organization’s very name: Jerusalem is a city of two peoples. This is not a poetic metaphor but an accurate description of life in a cosmopolitan city where Jews, Muslims, Christians, Israelis, and Palestinians all share the same geographic, historical, and emotional space. Recognizing this reality does not resolve the conflict, but it marks the beginning of a solution. A city of peoples can also become a city of peace—if it is built on equality, mutual respect, and reciprocal recognition.

For such a future to take shape, Jerusalem requires a special status—not only legal and political, but conceptual as well. A shared Jerusalemite identity must be cultivated so that every resident—Jewish or Arab—can feel a sense of belonging. This identity cannot be imposed from above; it must emerge from wise, inclusive policies: targeted tax incentives, support for bilingual and integrated schools, substantial investment in East Jerusalem’s services and infrastructure, and a civic culture rooted in equality that helps narrow the deep, long-standing divides between the city’s two halves. The message would be clear: Jerusalem belongs to all of us, and no one must give up their national identity to be part of it.

The document outlines a detailed plan for the city’s future: an “open city” model where two capitals for two peoples coexist within one municipal space; joint management of holy sites with guaranteed access and freedom of worship; maintenance of permanent residency and legal rights for Palestinians in East Jerusalem, with any future changes gradual and without infringement on their rights or freedom of movement; agreed-upon divisions of sovereignty and authority across different areas, while ensuring as much territorial continuity as possible; and strengthened cooperation between East and West Jerusalem as well as between civil society and policymakers.

Ir Amim also proposes immediate confidence-building measures: halting unilateral moves, investing funds to close socio-economic gaps, supporting community initiatives, and laying the groundwork for a shared civic identity in Jerusalem.

One of the paper’s most important contributions is its insistence that security cannot rest solely on fences, cameras, or military presence. Real security depends on trust, justice, and belonging. Effective security arrangements in Jerusalem must be built on cooperation, mutual oversight, and the involvement of civil, community, and even international actors. This approach aims to reduce friction rather than inflame it, while ensuring freedom of movement and safety for both peoples.

The events of October 7 made it clear that even the most advanced security technology cannot replace a comprehensive political settlement. The relatively swift return to normalcy in Jerusalem afterward – thanks in large part to grassroots cooperation and local initiatives to prevent escalation – demonstrated that stable security rests on reciprocity and shared responsibility. This is a call for a new way of thinking about security: not based on control, but on mutual respect and neighborliness.

Jerusalem is not just an Israeli-Palestinian issue; it is a symbolic city for billions around the world. In a time marked by wars and division, peace in Jerusalem could send a radically different message: that even from the most contested and sacred place, another path is possible—a message of hope, partnership, and dignity across identities.

That is why, especially now, when any peaceful horizon seems impossibly far off, the ancient call should be heard once more: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you be secure.” Peace in Jerusalem is not merely a local necessity—it is a vision for humanity itself.