Israeli Arab Knesset Member Talab a-Sana has accused Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski of trying to punish Arab residents with plans to enhance Jewish neighborhoods in the city.

Mayor Lupolianski expressed concerns at the cabinet meeting Sunday morning that Hamas could take control of the capital within 12 years, simply by tipping the demographics. The Arab birthrate in Jerusalem is almost twice that of the Jewish sector.

“The only solution to the demographic concerns raised by [Mayor] Lupolianski is to free east Jerusalem from Israeli control, which would resolve the dispute (over its control) and would advance peace,” said a-Sana.

The Israeli Arab MK added that “the occupation was always bad for both sides – Israel and the Palestinians.”