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.

US House passes Temple Mount amendment to advocate for Jewish prayer rights

"It is unconscionable that Jews do not enjoy the same access rights to visit and pray at their holiest site that other religions do," Rep. Tenney told the House ahead of the vote.

JULY 16, 2026|ByMATHILDA HELLER

A Jewish man worships during a visit to Al-Aqsa compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City, July 15, 2026. The Dome of the Rock can be seen in the background.

A view of the caves and depopulated homes in Lifta, west of Jerusalem, pictured in 2017; illustrative.

Human skull fragments found in cave west of Jerusalem, police probe incident

Forensic scientists are investigating suspicions that the bones are skull fragments, Israeli media reported.

JULY 16, 2026|ByJAMES GENN

‘Levites Way’: Route 443 renamed in memory of late foreign minister, links major Israeli regions

The proposal, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, aimed to honor the late foreign affairs minister David Levy and the Tribe of Levi's connection to Israel.

JULY 16, 2026|ByHADAR KATSMAN

A new Diplomatic Ladies Circle wants to turn Shalva's Jerusalem model into a global movement

Power with a heart: Diplomatic women form new circle for disability advocacy

Over twenty ambassadors' wives just formed a new diplomatic circle in Jerusalem, not for policy, but to carry Shalva National Center's model of love back home.

JULY 15, 2026|ByLARA SUKSTER MOSHEYOF

When Shabbat becomes a battleground - opinion

I sat on my balcony watching around 50 haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men and children harass a new cafe’s patrons and staff in Jerusalem’s city center, angry that it was operating on Shabbat.

JULY 14, 2026ByATARA RUDERMAN

POLICE ARE seen dragging an ultra-Orthodox protester away during a demonstration against a cafe operating on Shabbat while secular protesters demonstrate in support of the cafe in central Jerusalem, on July 11, 2026.

Israeli think tank urges tougher measures against Turkish consulate, limiting diplomatic presence

Among the recommendations are revoking diplomatic benefits, canceling work visas, restricting freedom of movement in Israel, and removing immunity from diplomatic vehicles.

JULY 14, 2026ByANNA BARSKY

View of the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv on August 26, 2021.

Elie Wiesel's son rejects Rahm Emanuel's 'pariah' verdict on Israel

From Auschwitz to the UN, Elisha Wiesel describes the lessons he inherited from his father and the battle he believes must now be fought over language and memory.

JULY 14, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS