The principle of Centre of Life is connected to the issue of residency's rights in the city of Jerusalem. Palestinian citizens from east Jerusalem had to prove that Jerusalem is their center of life to keep their citizenship.
This notion of center of life is one of the principle that we borrowed in order to work with it. It lead us to question issues such as :
How can you prove your Centre of life ?
What does this mean ?
We remain this issue open and are working trough it.
How can you prove your Centre of life ?
What does this mean ?
We remain this issue open and are working trough it.
More details
From JCSER, Jerusalem Center for Social and Economy Rights
[…] Israel applies its own laws in the city and the major trend of its policy is to limit the number of Palestinian population in Jerusalem because demography constitutes the core essence of the conflict over the city. Within this context, Israel conducted a population census in 1967 which counted 66,000 Palestinians within the new expanded boundaries of the city who were issued blue identity cards which means they are permanent residents in their city and not citizens. Israel regulates the issuing of residence permits to Palestinians in Jerusalem with reference to the Israeli Law of Entry into Israel, 1952 and Entry to Israel Regulations of 1974. Some 100,000 Palestinians used to live in Jerusalem before its occupation.
The Palestinians who were not counted during the census because of their presence outside Jerusalem for studying, working or visiting relatives outside Jerusalem borders had to apply for family reunification to the Ministry of the Interior in order to live legally in their city. However, the decision to grant or deny these applications is ultimately at the discretion of the Interior Minister who is not required to justify refusal. However, the ministry does not have the authority to deny entry to any Jew. This context makes that residency rights to Israeli citizens are automatically granted, while the residency rights of Palestinians in Jerusalem are restricted and violated in several ways.
[…]
Jerusalem residents married to persons who are not Israeli residents or citizens must apply for family unification in order to live legally in the city. The application is being checked on "centre of life", security and criminal record. It can take years before the applicant receives a decision to his or her application. When the applicant receives approval, a process of five years starts. Every year both the applicant as well as the one for whom the applicant applies have to show all the requested documents and the application is checked on the above mentioned issues. During the first two years the person receives a so-called B1 permit, which means that the person can stay, but has no residency rights. After two years the person receives a temporary residency permit. After five years one receives a permanent residency permit.
This policy severely affects family life, the right of a couple to live together, and the right of children to live with their parents. Many families are divided because of this policy. Family unification for Jewish families is an automatic right.
This policy severely affects family life, the right of a couple to live together, and the right of children to live with their parents. Many families are divided because of this policy. Family unification for Jewish families is an automatic right.
[...]
In spite of these obligations and restrictions, Palestinian Jerusalemites have many rights not enjoyed by Palestinian residents of the rest of the Occupied Territories. For example, East Jerusalem residents carry Jerusalem ID Cards, which means almost complete freedom of movement within the country.
