Jerusalem is more than just a city. It’s a spiritual heartbeat, a political battleground, and a symbol of centuries-old struggles. Claimed as a capital by both Israel and Palestinians, and revered by Jews, Muslims, and Christians, the city lies at the very core of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
With every stone layered in history, Jerusalem’s past and present remain deeply intertwined. Peace in the region often hinges on this one city — and yet, it’s here that tension burns brightest.
Why Is Jerusalem So Important?
Jerusalem holds deep spiritual significance for three major world religions:
Judaism: It is the site of the Western Wall, a revered remnant of the Second Temple and the most sacred place in Jewish tradition.
Islam: Hosts the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock on the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) — the third-holiest site in Islam.
Christianity: Believed to be the place of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, Jerusalem is home to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—a sacred destination for millions of Christian pilgrims worldwide.
This spiritual convergence makes Jerusalem not just a city of faith, but also a powder keg of competing identities and historical claims.
A Divided Past: East and West Jerusalem
- After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, West Jerusalem came under Israeli control while East Jerusalem — including the Old City — was controlled by Jordan.
- In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel captured East Jerusalem and later annexed it, declaring the unified city its eternal capital.
This move has never been recognized internationally, and Palestinians still claim East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.
Today, Jerusalem remains a divided city in many ways — not just politically, but demographically and emotionally.
The Epicenter of Tension: Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif
Perhaps no site illustrates the volatility of Jerusalem more than the Temple Mount (for Jews) or Haram al-Sharif (for Muslims). The shared space symbolizes overlapping claims, and clashes here often spark wider violence across Gaza and the West Bank.
Notable flare-ups include:
- The Second Intifada (2000), which began after Ariel Sharon’s visit to the compound.
- Recurring Ramadan clashes between Palestinian worshippers and Israeli police.
- 2021 violence that led to an 11-day war between Hamas and Israel.
Control, access, and symbolism of the site remain intensely contested, with no clear agreement on how to manage it.
International Diplomacy and Disputes
Most of the world — including the United Nations — considers East Jerusalem occupied territory. However, major shifts have occurred:
- “In 2017, the United States officially acknowledged Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and relocated its embassy from Tel Aviv to the contested city.
- This sparked outrage across the Arab world and among Palestinians, who saw it as a blow to their hopes for a future capital.
While a few other countries followed suit, the majority still maintain embassies in Tel Aviv and push for a negotiated solution to Jerusalem’s final status.
Conclusion: One City, Many Futures
More than a holy city, Jerusalem embodies the essence of the entire conflict—where every stone carries centuries of history, and every prayer reflects deeply layered identities.
Any long-term resolution between Israel and Palestine must address the status of Jerusalem. But with so many sacred narratives colliding in one place, achieving peace here is more complex than in any other part of the region.
Until then, Jerusalem remains the heart — and the heartbreak — of the Middle East.
