ABSTRACT
It is a common habit to suggest that Track Two policy development processes, such as the Jerusalem Old City Initiative (JOCI), are destined for the bookshelves. Indeed, Israelis and Palestinians had attempted and failed to resolve their longstanding conflict through negotiation, and violence had begun in Jerusalem. In light of these developments, an answer for Jerusalem, one of the thorniest issues of contention, seems distant. A Special Regime for the Old City of Jerusalem is therefore all the more necessary. The work developed through JOCI contributes to the understanding of the complexities of the city, and demonstrates that workable and practical answers do exist and can be implemented if the political will exists to do so. Such a policy process can be of benefit for negotiators during any future talks and, more importantly, it serves as a statement of the possible for Jerusalemites, Israelis and Palestinians, and the many interested in the fate of the city from across the world.
