Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski has harshly criticized an effort by Jerusalem Arabs to create a separate political entity. He emphasized that the group behind the effort is not connected with the residents of the municipality.

"Dozens of thousands of Arabs infiltrate Jerusalem every year...and wish to become residents of Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty thanks to the high-quality conditions and services they receive here. Just like the United Nations has no authority to divide London, Paris or Washington D.C., it has no authority to re-divide Jerusalem," he stated.