Jerusalem, “City of Gold,” is the capital of Israel and is regarded as a holy city by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. It is located in the Judean Mountains between the northern end of the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Jerusalem became Israel’s capital in 1948 when the country gained independence.
Jerusalem is the holiest city in Judaism and has been so since the 10th century BCE. In addition, it is home to many significant ancient Christian holy places and the third holiest city for Muslims.
The Old City of Jerusalem is a walled area and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982, and is divided into 4 religious and ethnic sections, The Jewish, Christian, Armenian, and Muslim quarters, all contained in about 1 square kilometer. In this small area are also located several important religious sites such as the Western Wall and Temple Mount for Jews, for Christians the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and for Muslims the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque.
The cultural and civic areas of the city are found in the western and urban areas, which include The Knesset (Israel’s Parliament), other branches of the Israeli government, and the Supreme Court. Jerusalem is also home to Yad Vashem (The Holocaust memorial), The Hebrew University, and the Israel Museum with the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Ever since King David made Jerusalem his capital in 1000 BCE, Jews have lived within the walls of the Old City with only two exceptions. When Roman Invaders forbade them access to the city and then again when Jordan occupied the old city between 1948 and 1967 and Jews were forbidden to enter the Jewish quarter to pray at the Western Wall.
Today in Jerusalem, the capital of the Jewish State, Jews, Christians, and Muslims are all free to pray at their holy religious sites.