Jerusalem
In response to Conrad’s cartoon which appeared in your paper on March 30 depicting Jerusalem as a closed military area to pilgrims, I wish to make the following comments:
Never in its history has Jerusalem been a more open and free city for all who live here or wish to visit their holy sites. Not only are there more than half a million Christian pilgrims and half a million Jewish pilgrims who visit here every year (and many thousands of both faiths were just here celebrating Easter and Passover), there are also more than 120,000 Muslim pilgrims who come here each year from countries which are technically still at war with us, in order to pray on the Temple Mount.
There is freedom of press, freedom of religion, freedom of worship and freedom of access for all. The city is more beautiful and prosperous today than at any time throughout its history.
Although a cartoon is only a cartoon, it should be based on some reality and not only on doubtful, hostile impressions and opinions.
MAYOR TEDDY KOLLEK
Jerusalem
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