Jerusalem

Jerusalem is an ancient city and capital of the State of Israel, located in the center of the country. The Palestinian Authority also lays claim to Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.

Jerusalem is considered a holy city by major religions, chiefly Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Jerusalem is a host to many religious sites, especially within the walls of the old city. The Temple Mount is remains of the Jewish temples, and the holiest site in Judaism. Jews often pray at the Western Wall, or Kotel, a retaining wall for the Temple Mount built by Herod the Great. On the temple mount now sit the al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques, the former being the 3rd holiest site in Islam. Several chirstian sites, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, are important to many sects of Christianity.

As it is the political capital of Israel, Jerusalem is home to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. There are also ministries that have their headquarters in Jerusalem, such as the Foreign Ministry. The status of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is not recognized by all international actors. However, embassies of states such as the US reside in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built on several hills, and has a cooler climate than many other major cities. One of its aesthetic features is that buildings are made with Jerusalem stone, a pale white-yellow limestone.

Jerusalem has been the center of Jewish life since Davidic times. In its history, it has been conquered and destroyed dozens of times by invading armies and empires. However, there has always been a Jewish presence in Jerusalem. In late 1800 Ottoman censuses, Jews were a majority of the population of Jerusalem. However, Jerusalem was set to be an international city in initial partition plans in the late 1940s. Following the Israeli War of Independence, Jerusalem was split between east and west, with the east side being in the possession of Jordan. In 1967, Israel retook east Jerusalem, and the bulk of Jewish holy sites. In 1980, the Knesset passed the “Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capital of Israel” which establishes a united Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and under complete Israeli sovereignty.

Jerusalem

Glamping in Arazim Valley: Historic farm becomes new hospitality hub

Beneath a German lake, above a Nazi bunker: Israeli artist explores buried memory - feature

Jerusalem court casts doubt on murder charges against two women in Benayahu Razi killing

Israel’s next government must confront the future of the West Bank - opinion

Jerusalem builds new NIS 5 million medical helipad

WATCH: Tens of thousands of Jewish worshipers gather for Birkat Kohanim at Western Wall

Jerusalem’s new basketball roster impresses as Lofton Jr. lives up to the hype

Huckabee announces plan to break ground on permanent US Embassy in Jerusalem

Ma’aleh Adumim challenges A-G opinion to delay approval of new homes in E1 settlement

Israeli passengers stopped, searched at Dutch airport as West Bank import crackdown begins

A Jerusalem hotel with a true luxury experience: Inside the Inbal’s premium city stay

Grapevine: Lost on the har

Jerusalem highlights: September 25-October 1

Jerusalem inaugurates renewed Har Hotzvim Hi-Tech Park, projects it will generate 10,000 new jobs