An Israeli proposal that could potentially strip tens of thousands of Palestinians in Jerusalem of their residency rights has sent shudders through the targeted Arab neighborhoods -- areas that fell outside Israel's separation barrier a decade ago, even though they are within the city's boundaries.<br />The government's review of the status of these neighborhoods, home to tens of thousands of people, illustrates the fragile position of Palestinians in a city where they are caught between the pragmatic conveniences of living under Israeli control and the loyalties to the Palestinian cause.<br />.<br />But government critics said the fact that it is even being discussed sent an ominous message to Palestinians.<br />Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the review at a recent meeting that was called to discuss a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has roiled the area in the past month.<br />About a third of the city's 300,000 Palestinians live in these neighborhoods.
