Jerusalem

Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world, located in the Southern Levant on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is considered a holy city for three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Both Israel and Palestine claim Jerusalem as their capital city, but this claim is not widely recognised internationally.

Throughout its long history, Jerusalem has faced many challenges. It has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, captured and recaptured 44 times, and attacked 52 times. The city has grown far beyond its original walls, which were last rebuilt in 1538 under Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire. Today, the Old City—surrounded by these walls—is divided into four quarters: Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim quarters. It became a World Heritage Site in 1981.

According to the Hebrew Bible, King David conquered Jerusalem and made it the capital of the United Kingdom of Israel. His son, King Solomon, built the First Temple. In Christianity, Jerusalem is important because of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. In Islam, Jerusalem is the third-holiest city. It was the first direction for Muslim prayers, and Muhammad is said to have made his Night Journey there.

Today, Jerusalem's status remains a key issue in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. In 1980, Israel passed a law declaring Jerusalem its undivided capital, but the international community views East Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territory. The city continues to be an important place for people of many faiths.

Etymology and names

Further information: Names of Jerusalem

The name Jerusalem has many meanings and origins. It is thought to mean “foundation of the god Shalem,” coming from an old root word meaning “to found” or “lay a cornerstone.” Shalem was a god of dusk in ancient Canaanite beliefs, and his name shares roots with the word for “peace.” Because of this, Jerusalem has been called “The City of Peace” or “Vision of Peace” by some writers.

The ending -ayim in Jerusalem suggests the city may have originally been on two hills. Ancient Egyptian writings from around the 19th century BCE mention a place that sounds like Jerusalem, called Rušalimum or Urušalimum. The Bible first mentions Jerusalem in the Book of Joshua. One old writing from about the 7th century BCE, found near Beit Guvrin, also uses the name Jerusalem.

In ancient times, Jerusalem was known by other names too. The Bible calls it Jebus and the City of David. Later, Greek speakers called it Hierosolyma, meaning “holy city.” After a revolt in the Roman era, it was renamed Aelia Capitolina by the Roman emperor Hadrian.

In Arabic, Jerusalem is most often called al-Quds, meaning “the holy” or “the holy sanctuary.” Some Christian Arabic translations also use the name Ūrušalīm.

History

Main article: History of Jerusalem

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Jerusalem.

See also: Historical maps of Jerusalem

Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history that goes back more than 5,000 years. People first settled there around 3000 BCE near the Gihon Spring. The city became important under many different groups over time.

King David made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom around 1000 BCE, and his son King Solomon built the First Temple there. Later, the city was captured and the temple destroyed, but it was rebuilt again. Through the years, Jerusalem has been ruled by many empires, including the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans.

Today, both Israel and Palestine see Jerusalem as their capital, which makes its future a topic of great discussion.

Political status

Main article: Positions on Jerusalem

Jerusalem has been an important city for a long time. From 1923 to 1948, it was the main city for managing things in what was called Mandatory Palestine.

In 1949, the leader of Israel said that West Jerusalem would be Israel’s capital forever. But many other countries did not agree because they thought Jerusalem should be a city for everyone. After a war in 1967, Israel took control of all of Jerusalem. In 1988, Israel closed a building called Orient House, but it reopened later as a guest house for Palestinians. Agreements in the 1990s said that the final decision about Jerusalem would be made in future talks between Israel and Palestine. Palestine wants East Jerusalem to be its capital, and Israel says Jerusalem will always be its undivided capital.

Most countries think East Jerusalem should be part of Palestine, but the United States said in 2017 that it supports Israel’s control of all Jerusalem. This caused many disagreements around the world.

International status

Most of the world thinks East Jerusalem, including the old part of the city, should belong to Palestine. The United States changed its mind in 2017 and said it supports Israel’s control of all Jerusalem. Before that, no country officially said West or East Jerusalem belonged to Israel or Palestine. In 1947, the United Nations suggested Jerusalem should be a special area managed by the United Nations for ten years, after which the people living there could decide its future. In 1948, Israel took the western part of Jerusalem, and Jordan took the eastern part. Most countries still think the status of Jerusalem should be decided based on the 1947 plan.

Status under Israeli rule

After the 1967 war, Israel took control of East Jerusalem and made new city borders.

In 2010, Israel made a law saying Jerusalem was very important to the country. The law helped make building and living in Jerusalem more affordable. An Israeli leader said this law showed that Jerusalem would never be split.

The status of Jerusalem, especially its holy places, is very important in the disagreement between Israel and Palestine. Israel has allowed building plans in parts of the old city to bring more Jewish people to East Jerusalem. Palestine wants Jerusalem to be its capital. In 2000, a team of experts said the city needed to be divided because Israel couldn’t achieve its goals there.

But in 2014, an Israeli leader said Jerusalem would never be divided. In 2013, a survey showed most Israeli Jews did not want Palestine to have any part of Jerusalem as its capital. Another survey in 2011 showed some people in East Jerusalem would rather live under Israeli rule than Palestinian rule.

Jerusalem as capital of Israel

Main article: Status of Jerusalem

In 1949, Israel’s first leader said Jerusalem was Israel’s eternal and sacred capital. After the war, efforts began to move the government back to Jerusalem. Since 1950, all parts of the Israeli government have been in Jerusalem except for the Ministry of Defense, which is in Tel Aviv.

In 1980, Israel passed a law saying Jerusalem was the complete and united capital of Israel. Many countries did not agree with this and did not recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The United Nations said this law broke international rules. After this, many countries moved their embassies away from Jerusalem.

In 1995, the United States passed a law that its embassy should move to Jerusalem. In 2017, the US president said Jerusalem was Israel’s capital and moved the embassy there. This was not accepted by many countries. In 2018, the US opened its embassy in Jerusalem.

In 2017, Russia said it saw Western Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, but also thought East Jerusalem should be Palestine’s capital in the future. In 2018, Australia said it recognized West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital but kept its embassy in Tel Aviv until there was peace between Israel and Palestine. Australia changed its mind again in 2022.

Government precinct and national institutions

The Kiryat HaLeom project is meant to be a place for most government offices and cultural places. They are in the Kiryat HaMemshala area in the Givat Ram neighborhood. Some government buildings are in Kiryat Menachem Begin. Jerusalem has the Knesset, the Supreme Court, the Bank of Israel, the main police office, and homes for the president and prime minister, among other important offices. The Ministry of Defense is in Tel Aviv, and the Ministry of Agriculture is in Rishon LeZion.

Israeli settlements

See also: Israeli settlements

Since 1967, Israel has built 12 areas where Israeli people live in East Jerusalem. As of 2019, about 220,000 Israeli people lived there. Most countries think these areas are not allowed under international rules.

Jerusalem as capital of Palestine

See also: East Jerusalem § Jerusalem as capital

The Palestinian National Authority thinks East Jerusalem is occupied land according to United Nations rules. Palestine wants Jerusalem, including an important holy place called Haram al-Sharif, to be its capital. The PLO also says West Jerusalem should be discussed in future talks. The PLO has said it might agree to other ideas, like making Jerusalem a city where both countries can share.

The PLO’s idea is that East Jerusalem, as it was before 1967, should be Palestine’s capital and West Jerusalem should be Israel’s capital. Each country would control its part, and there would be a group to help with shared projects. Orient House in East Jerusalem was the PLO’s headquarters in the 1980s and 1990s. Israel closed it in 2001 after a very sad event at a restaurant.

Some countries, like Russia and China, recognize Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital. A United Nations decision in 2004 said the Palestinian people have the right to rule East Jerusalem.

Palestinian offices and institutions

See also: List of diplomatic missions in Palestine § Consulates

Some Palestinian government offices are outside the city limits set by Israel. These include offices for safety, special forces, and the Ministry of Interior. There is a Palestinian office and a place for voting in the Dahiyat al Barid neighborhood.

Municipal administration

Main article: Municipality of Jerusalem

Jerusalem has a city council with 31 elected members led by a mayor who serves for five years and chooses eight helpers. The council members help the mayor but do not get paid for their work. Meetings are mostly private, but once a month, the public can attend a session.

The city hall and mayor's office are located at Safra Square on Jaffa Road. The buildings there opened in 1993, replacing an older town hall. Jerusalem is the capital of its district, and many neighborhoods have special rules about land use and control.

Geography

Jerusalem is found on a raised area in the Judaean Mountains, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. The city sits on a plateau and includes important places like the Temple Mount, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Dome of the Rock, which can be seen from the Mount of Olives.

Jerusalem has a warm climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Snow is rare but can happen a few times each winter. The city gets most of its rain between October and May. Because it is far from the sea, Jerusalem can get very hot in summer, though it sometimes feels cooler because of breezes. The city has had very hot days over 44 °C and very cold nights below -6 °C in the past. Traffic can cause air to be less clear in parts of the city.

Demographics

Demographic history

Main article: Demographic history of Jerusalem

Jerusalem's population has changed many times over its long history. Since the 19th century, the Old City of Jerusalem has been divided into Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Armenian quarters. Most population numbers before 1905 are guesses, often from travelers or groups, since earlier censuses covered larger areas.

Current demographics

See also: Demographics of Jerusalem by quarter

In December 2007, Jerusalem had a population of 747,600 people. Most were Jewish (63.7%), with many Muslims (33.1%) and a smaller number of Christians (2%).

Studies show that the number of Jews in Jerusalem has been slowly decreasing. This is because Muslim families often have more children, and some Jewish people move away. Still, Jerusalem's population keeps growing because families, especially in certain groups, have many children.

In 2016, Jerusalem's population reached 882,700. Jews made up most of the people (60.8%), with Muslims next (36.2%), followed by small numbers of Christians and others.

Religious significance

Main article: Religious significance of Jerusalem

Jerusalem is a very special city for three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It has been important to Jewish people for about 3000 years, to Christians for around 2000 years, and to Muslims for about 1400 years. The city has many important places of worship, including synagogues for Jews, churches for Christians, and mosques for Muslims.

The Temple Mount is a key location for all three religions. For Jewish people, it is the holiest place and the site where two important temples once stood. For Muslims, it is where Muhammad is believed to have traveled during his Night Journey. This shared importance sometimes leads to disagreements among the different religious groups.

Economy

Jerusalem's economy has historically relied on visitors who come to see its important religious sites. Today, many tourists still visit places like the Western Wall and the Old City. The city has been recognized for its growing appeal as a travel destination.

Over time, Jerusalem has also become a place where many technology companies have set up offices. The government has helped by creating jobs and supporting new businesses. While Tel Aviv is Israel's main financial center, Jerusalem is becoming more important for technology and research. This includes areas like biomedical technology and internet startups.

There are also many jobs in education, healthcare, and community services. However, some areas of Jerusalem, especially parts where many Palestinian families live, have faced economic challenges. Efforts are ongoing to create more opportunities for everyone in the city through technology, tourism, and business partnerships between Israeli and Palestinian communities.

Urban structure

Jerusalem has usually had shorter buildings, but some tall ones have been built in the downtown area. One of these, Holyland Tower 1, is Jerusalem's tallest building and rises 32 stories high. More high-rise buildings are planned for certain parts of downtown Jerusalem, including along Jaffa Road and King George Street. One proposed building along King George Street could be 65 stories tall, making it one of the tallest in Israel.

New projects are also happening in Jerusalem. In 2021, a large development called "Lana" began in East Jerusalem. This project includes homes, shops, restaurants, and schools, aiming to improve the area with better roads and parking. It is located near the historic Old City of Jerusalem.

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Jerusalem

Jerusalem has many ways to get around, including buses and trains. The Jerusalem Central Bus Station on Jaffa Road is the busiest in all of Israel. Big bus companies like Egged Bus Cooperative and Dan help people travel here.

The Jerusalem Light Rail started in 2011 and has many stops from north to south. There is also a fast train line from Tel Aviv that reached Jerusalem in 2019. It stops at a deep underground station near the city centre.

Jerusalem used to have its own airport called Jerusalem International Airport, but it closed in 2000. Now, people fly into Ben Gurion Airport, which is a bit far away but connected by train. Some people have ideas to build a new airport closer to Jerusalem that both Israelis and Palestinians could use.

Education

Universities

Jerusalem has many important universities where students can learn in Hebrew, Arabic, and English.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, started in 1925, is one of the best schools in the world. It has three main areas where classes happen in Jerusalem. The university has a very big library with over five million books, which is also the main library of Israel.

The Jerusalem College of Technology, started in 1969, teaches engineering and technology along with Jewish studies. Jerusalem also has many religious schools, including some very famous ones.

Al-Quds University was started in 1984 to serve Arab and Palestinian students. It has several campuses in and around Jerusalem.

Other schools in Jerusalem include the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design.

Arab schools

Some schools for Arab students in Jerusalem have been said to not be as good as those for Jewish students. The city is working to build new schools in Arab neighborhoods. Plans are also in place to add thousands of new classrooms for students.

Culture

Jerusalem is a city rich in art and culture, even though it is famous for its important religious sites. The Israel Museum is one of the biggest museums in the city, drawing nearly one million visitors each year. It holds many special collections, including ancient writings called the Dead Sea scrolls, and artworks from Israel and Europe. The museum also has a special area for children and a large garden with sculptures.

Next to the Israel Museum is the Bible Lands Museum, which shows items from ancient times. There are also many music and theatre places in Jerusalem, like the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and the Jerusalem Theatre. Every year, the Israel Festival brings together performers from around the world for concerts, plays, and street shows. Jerusalem also has film festivals and many places where artists can work and show their art.

Media

The headquarters of the Israel Broadcasting Authority and its successor Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation are located in Jerusalem, as well as television and radio studios for Channel 12, Channel 13, and part of the radio studios of BBC News. The Jerusalem Post and The Times of Israel are also headquartered in Jerusalem. Local newspapers include the Israeli Kol Ha'ir and the Palestinian Jerusalem Times. God TV, an international Christian television network, is also based in the city. PYALARA, an organisation based in Jerusalem, transformed Jaba into a digital hub, which is the Middle East's first digital village and is also home to the first Media Interactive Learning Center in the Middle East.

Sports

See also: Beitar Jerusalem F.C., Hapoel Jerusalem B.C., and Jerusalem Marathon

The most popular sports in Jerusalem are football (soccer) and basketball. Beitar Jerusalem Football Club is one of the most famous teams in Israel. Another well-known team is Hapoel Jerusalem F.C. Beitar Jerusalem plays in the top league, while Hapoel Jerusalem competes in the second division. The main football stadium is Teddy Stadium, which can hold over 30,000 fans.

There is also a popular Palestinian football club called Jabal Al Mukaber, which plays in the West Bank Premier League. In basketball, Hapoel Jerusalem is one of the best teams in Israel, winning many championships and cups.

Jerusalem hosts an international marathon each March, drawing thousands of runners from around the world. There is also an annual Jerusalem March held during the Sukkot festival, which is a fun, non-competitive walking event.

Twin towns—sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Israel and Palestine

Jerusalem has special relationships with many cities around the world. These are called "twin towns" or "sister cities."

Jerusalem is twinned with:

[East Jerusalem] (Claimed by Palestine):

• Cairo, Egypt
• Jakarta, Indonesia
• Tehran, Iran
• Nouakchott, Mauritania
• Fez, Morocco
• Oujda, Morocco

[West Jerusalem] (Administered by Israel):

• Niterói, Brazil
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Salvador, Brazil
• Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
• Cusco, Peru
• Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
• New York City, New York, United States