Due to public pressure, the Palestinian government amended a controversial regulation dealing with East Jerusalem residents. The decision set out in an order by Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah Jan. 3 required Palestinians holding Israeli IDs from having to pass a security clearance before being allowed to rent property in the Palestinian areas. The amendment, which made an exception for East Jerusalem residents, has eased the tension. But many Palestinians are still angry at being treated in a discriminatory fashion.

A senior Palestinian government source who preferred not to be identified told Al-Monitor that the original Jan. 3 decision was taken due to a noticeable increase in the number of rented homes being used for illegal activities, including drug creation and sale. The source insisted that much of the drug business is done with Palestinian citizens of Israel. One of the most dangerous drug dealers who had nine warrants for his arrest was rounded up in Ramallah last September. It appears that the information gleaned from this criminal and others led to the decision regarding restricting rentals to holders of Israeli IDs.

The Jan. 3 decision signed by Hamdallah orders every Palestinian landlord to submit a request to be approved by the local government (municipality or local village council) where they live before renting an apartment to a “person holding an Israeli ID.” Government agencies working with the Palestinian security are given two weeks to respond to any request, the order states. The order makes no mention of the consequences of not abiding by it.

The rescinded amendment issued in the weekly Cabinet meeting on Jan. 8 explains that “the decision was an administrative one to protect public order and that Jerusalemites are exempt from this decision.” No specific details were given as to the reason for the decision or how the various government agencies are expected to differentiate between Jerusalem's residents and Israeli citizens.