MK Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) proposed on Monday a bill that would require all Jerusalem neighborhoods to be called by their Hebrew names on signs and in all Israel Broadcasting Authority reports
“In our battle for Jerusalem, it is important that we recognize the historic Hebrew roots of the city,” Hotovely told The Jerusalem Post
“Neighborhoods in Jerusalem, mostly in the city’s east, are called by their Arabic names,” Hotovely explained, “but most of the Arab names are based on historic Hebrew names. The Arabic names distance us from our roots.”I
Citing the Jewish people’s historic connection to east Jerusalem, Hotovely said, “People say we can give up parts of Jerusalem because we didn’t pray to return to Sheikh Jarrah or to Silwan, but we did pray to return to Shimon Hatzadik and to the City of David,” referring to the east Jerusalem neighborhoods’ Hebrew names
“When a neighborhood is called by its correct name, it gives it significance. It’s important,” she said
Hotovely also quoted a letter written by David Ben-Gurion in which he wrote, “Just as we do not recognize Arab political ownership of our land, we do not recognize their spiritual ownership, and we do not need their names, which give off the Arab scent.”I
Names are part of the national struggle,” Hotovely said
This article was first published in the Jerusalem Post on May 31st, the original article can be found here