UKMW prompts Times of London correction to claim E. Jerusalem Palestinians have ‘no political rights’.

An article in the Sunday Times on US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital included the false claim that east Jerusalem Palestinians, who are permanent residents but not citizens, have "no political rights". After communication with UKMW, editors agreed to amend the passage to reflect the fact that east Jerusalem Palestinians have the right to vote in local elections and to run for city council.

An article in Times of London on US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital (“Jerusalem was a sweetener squandered. So much for the ‘art of the deal'”, Dec. 10th) alleged that east Jerusalem Palestinians, who are permanent residents but not citizens, have “no political rights”.

This is not true.

As even pro-Palestinian NGOs such as B’tselem acknowledge, in addition to the civil and economic rights accorded to them, east Jerusalem Palestinians with permanent residency have the right to vote in local elections and run for city council.

Permanent residency confers fewer rights than citizenship. It entitles the holder to live and work in Israel and to receive social benefits under the National Insurance Law, as well as health insurance. But, permanent residents cannot participate in national elections…and cannot run for the office of mayor, although they are entitled to vote in local elections and to run for city council.

We immediately tweeted the writer, Lawrence Freedman, to point out that his claim isn’t accurate and, as you can see in the screenshot of the tweet below, he replied, agreeing with our argument.

We then contacted Times of London editors, who agreed to amend the passage accordingly.

Here’s the new sentence:

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