Jerusalem deputy mayor proposes renaming King George Street
In Israel, Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Aryeh King has proposed renaming one of the city’s main streets — King George Street. He submitted a corresponding request to Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, who also chairs the street-naming committee, The Jerusalem Post reports.
King proposes naming the street “Tabur ha-Aretz” (“Navel of the Earth”). He linked the initiative to Britain’s intention to introduce restrictions concerning Israeli settlements in the West Bank. To change the name, the proposal must undergo the required municipal procedures.
Restrictions on trade with settlements
The British government announced the previous day its intention to pursue a ban on imports of goods produced in settlements, as well as legislative changes. They are intended to give British ministers the authority to impose targeted sanctions on organizations, companies, and individuals involved in financing, supporting, or building settlements.
These measures will not take effect immediately, as they require legal and regulatory procedures that may take several months. The planned ban will apply to physical goods rather than services. The sanctions mechanism provides for consideration of individual cases rather than the automatic application of restrictions.
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UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband linked the move to the expansion of settlements and construction tenders in E1, which London called a “red line.” British authorities stated that the planned restrictions target settlements rather than Israel within the Green Line.
History of the name and ministry recommendation
King George Street has borne this name for more than 100 years. It was named in 1924, during the British Mandate period, after George V, Britain’s king from 1910 to 1936. In his request, King noted that after Israel was established, neither the government nor the Jewish municipal authorities made a decision to honor the British monarch.
At the same time, Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism recommended that the Population and Immigration Authority deny entry to the country to employees and activists of 11 organizations operating in the United Kingdom. The ministry says these entities promote boycotts and sanctions against Israel. The list includes Oxfam, Save the Children, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Palestine Action, and Islamic Relief Worldwide.
