Thoughts of a Famous Mayor

During his historic visit to Jerusalem a year ago, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat expressed delight at meeting "the world's most famous mayor." Sadat was not far from the mark. For nearly 13 years, ebullient, tough-talking and relentlessly energetic Teddy Kollek, 67, has presided over Jerusalem in an evenhanded, unceremonious way. On election day last week, Kollek halted a breathless, last-minute round of electioneering to talk with Jerusalem Bureau Chief Dean Fischer and TIME'S Robert Slater about his goals for the city.

Do you see the increased vote among the Arabs as a first step toward greater participation in the running of Jerusalem?

No question about it. We have been active in creating Arab Area Committees to take care of such needs as roads, street lights, education and a variety of other things. These committees saw the benefit of this cooperation and were active in suggesting that people vote.

What about Arabs actually running for the city council?

I don't think any Arab would dare do this because he would confront personal harassment without any benefits at this moment. The man who would do this would risk his life. I don't think the Arabs in Jerusalem will dare do something for which they don't get approval at least from countries like Jordan or Egypt.

What's wrong with the Arab demand for sovereignty over East Jerusalem?

In principle, there is nothing wrong with it. Practically speaking, it is impossible to implement. What could be done about crime? A man could commit a theft in East Jerusalem and get off scot free by running away to West Jerusalem, and vice versa. I'm afraid that divided sovereignty would soon mean the same walls, mines and barbed wire.

Would you like to see the Israeli government do much more to unify the city?

That is a fair statement. For instance, one thing the government hasn't done so far is to equalize services, although Mr. Begin has promised to do so several times. We still have half of the Arab city without sewage disposal and we are lacking schools and roads.

What will be the direct impact on Jerusalem of the Camp David agreement?

A great easing of the relationship among Jews, Christians and Arabs. After all, in spite of the loyalty of the East Jerusalem Arabs to Jordan, and to the Palestine Liberation Organization, for many the great power is Egypt, with its 40 million Arabs. The fact that there is an agreement may mean the mayor of Cairo will visit here. All this must have its effect on an easing of real relationships. They are already pretty good. This is really one city. Certainly a mayor can walk around here more easily than he can in many cities in the U.S.

How would you feel about raising an Arab flag over the holy [Muslim] places of Jerusalem?

If that's what the government suggests, I certainly won't disapprove. I suggest that all the things we have done for the Arabs should cease to be administrative measures and be legalized. We should legalize their administration of all their holy places and their right to their own school curriculum. Then we should package all this and give it to them to administer in their own Arab borough, with their own city supervisors.

Do you foresee that one day an Arab could be sitting where you are sitting?

I can't imagine an Arab mayor very easily because I think the Jewish predilection for a very, very long time will be to elect a Jewish mayor. But I can very well see Arabs on the city council, Arabs responsible for different departments and, of course, an Arab borough president.

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