JERUSALEM, May 13 (UPI) -- Palestinians could control Jerusalem within 12 years if Jews continue to move from the city, its mayor warned Sunday.
Jerusalem's majority is dwindling as Jews are replaced by Arabs, said Uri Lupolianski.
Israel needs a long-term plan to guarantee Jerusalem will remain Israel's capital and not fall into the hands of Hamas, the Palestinian ruling party, Lupolianski said at ceremonies marking the 40th anniversary of the unification of Jerusalem. "We will not be satisfied with crumbs," he said.
Jerusalem has 720,000 residents with 66 percent Jewish and 34 percent Arab, the Jerusalem Post reported.
A study conducted by Hebrew University predicted if the situation -- and Jerusalem's borders -- remained unchanged, only 60 percent of Jerusalem's residents would be Jews by 2020, with the remaining 40 percent Arab. Jerusalem residents cited lack of work opportunities as the city's main problem.
