In March 1995, Olmert's municipality in West Jerusalem and the Israeli Ministry of Tourism issued a colorful brochure on what they termed the 'celebration commemorating 3000 years since Jerusalem's establishment as the capital of Israel by King David'. The front cover of the brochure has part of the Jerusalem walls (built by Sultan Suleiman al-Azeem 'the Magnificent') and the King David Hotel, built long before the establishment of Israel in 1948, a hotel that was almost destroyed by a huge explosion perpetrated by Irgun (a Jewish underground movement in pre-mandate Palestine) in 1946, an explosion in which many British soldiers were killed.
Jerusalem, known and symbolized throughout the world by its landmark golden Dome of the Rock with its dazzling mosaic and exquisite perfect proportions, justifiably considered as one of the wonders of the modern world, was ignored by Olmert's municipality which opted for a different scene to place on the front page of its brochure.
This shows the falsehood behind the attempts made by Olmert's municipality to shun the shining face of Arab East Jerusalem, with its glittering mosques and churches, walls, souks, and people.
On Friday August 11, 1995, the European Union (EU) notified Israel that it would boycott all Jerusalem 3000 events. The EU noted that the Israeli festivities overwhelmingly focus on the city's Jewish history, the EU informed Israel that it will withdraw funding for cultural events held in the city, if these events are advertised as being within the framework of Jerusalem 3000 festivities. The Italian Ambassador Guiseppe Panocchia said, "We are sorry that the Jerusalem 3000 festival does not reflect the distinct contributions of all religious groups to the city, it is a fact that many religious groups have contributed over the 3000 years." The EU diplomats warned that false Israeli advertising could jeopardize international conferences expected to be held in Jerusalem over the next year (Jerusalem Post 14.8.95) Ehud Olmert scoffed at the EU decision saying, "Jerusalem was the capital of Israel before you and will be the united capital of Israel long after your protests have disappeared from the side pages of history." (Jerusalem Post 15.8.95)
Politically speaking, the Israeli celebrations of Jerusalem 3000 will backfire. The inauguration of the celebrations for all practical purposes were boycotted by all nations of the world. This brought home to the Israeli people the fact that Jerusalem is not recognized as their capital, and reminI- politicians and non-politicians alike, that the status is unaccepnot just to the Palestinians, but to the rest of the world, the United States included.
Yossi Beilin, Israel's Economics Minister at the time, described this boycott as a 'moment of truth' and continued on a somber note that: "We need to come to a situation where in the final arrangements the world will recognize Jerusalem as our capital." If Israel is to have world recognition for West Jerusalem as its capital, the Israelis must leave Arab East Jerusalem together with the rest of the West Bank. Arab East Jerusalem will become again the capital of Palestine.