Jerusalem

Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is located in the Southern Levant between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is a holy city for three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Both Israel and Palestine claim Jerusalem as their capital city, but many countries do not agree with this.

Throughout its long history, Jerusalem has faced many challenges. The city has grown far beyond its original walls. Today, the Old City 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 made Jerusalem the capital. In Christianity, Jerusalem is important because of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. In Islam, Jerusalem is a very important city. It was the first direction for Muslim prayers, and Muhammad is said to have made his Night Journey there.

Today, Jerusalem's status is an important issue in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The city continues to be a special place for people of many faiths.

Etymology and names

Further information: Names of Jerusalem

The name Jerusalem has many meanings and origins. It may mean “foundation of the god Shalem.” Shalem was an old god of dusk, and his name is linked to the word for “peace.” Because of this, some call Jerusalem “The City of Peace.”

The ending -ayim in Jerusalem suggests the city may have been on two hills. Ancient Egyptian writings mention a place that sounds like Jerusalem. The Bible first mentions Jerusalem in the Book of Joshua.

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

In Arabic, Jerusalem is often called al-Quds, meaning “the holy.” 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. People lived there long ago, near the Gihon Spring. The city became important to many different groups.

King David made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom. His son King Solomon built the First Temple there. The city was captured and the temple destroyed, but it was rebuilt. Many empires ruled Jerusalem, including the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans.

Today, both Israel and Palestine see Jerusalem as their capital. This makes its future an important topic for 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.

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.

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’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.

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.

Municipal administration

Main article: Municipality of Jerusalem

Jerusalem has a city council with 31 members who are chosen by the people. A mayor leads the council for five years and picks eight helpers. The council members help the mayor but do not get paid. Their meetings are usually private, but once a month people can watch a session.

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

Geography

Jerusalem is located 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.

Demographics

Demographic history

Main article: Demographic history of Jerusalem

Jerusalem's population has changed a lot over time. Since the 1800s, the Old City has had Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Armenian areas. Numbers before 1905 are not exact, as they were often estimated by travelers or groups.

Current demographics

See also: Demographics of Jerusalem by quarter

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

Studies show the number of Jews in Jerusalem has been slowly going down. This is because Muslim families often have more children, and some Jewish people move away. But Jerusalem's population still grows because many families have lots of children.

In 2016, Jerusalem had 882,700 people. Jews were the largest group (60.8%), followed by Muslims (36.2%), with smaller 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 depended 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 become popular as a travel destination.

Over time, Jerusalem has 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 growing in technology and research. This includes areas like biomedical technology and internet startups.

There are also many jobs in education, healthcare, and community services. Some areas of Jerusalem, where many Palestinian families live, have faced economic challenges. Efforts continue to create more opportunities for everyone in the city through technology, tourism, and business partnerships.

Urban structure

Jerusalem often has shorter buildings, but some tall ones have been built in the downtown area. One of these, Holyland Tower 1, is the tallest building in Jerusalem and rises 32 stories high. More high-rise buildings are planned for 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. It aims 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, like buses and trains. The Jerusalem Central Bus Station on Jaffa Road is the busiest in Israel. Big bus companies like Egged Bus Cooperative and Dan help people travel there.

The Jerusalem Light Rail started in 2011 and has many stops from north to south. There is also a fast train 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 but connected by train. Some people have ideas to build a new airport closer to Jerusalem.

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 for classes 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 need to be better. 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 full of art and culture, even though it is known for its important religious sites. The Israel Museum is one of the largest museums in the city. It has 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 places for music and theatre 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 in Jerusalem. There are also 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 based in the city.

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.

There is also a popular Palestinian football club called Jabal Al Mukaber. In basketball, Hapoel Jerusalem is one of the best teams in Israel.

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 friendships with many cities around the world. These friendships 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