Jerusalem

Definition

Jerusalem is a city of profound historical, religious, and political significance, regarded as a sacred site by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Its contested status has made it a focal point in major peace initiatives and negotiations aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Jerusalem is home to key religious sites, including the Western Wall, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, making it a highly contested area.
2. The city was divided between Israel and Jordan from 1949 until the Six-Day War in 1967, when Israel captured East Jerusalem and subsequently declared it as its undivided capital.
3. International consensus generally considers East Jerusalem to be occupied territory, with many countries supporting the idea of sharing or dividing the city in any future peace agreement.
4. Various peace initiatives have proposed different solutions for Jerusalem's status, including making it an international city or a shared capital for both Israelis and Palestinians.
5. The issue of Jerusalem remains one of the most challenging obstacles in peace talks, with both sides claiming it as their capital and significant national identity attached to it.

Review Questions

• How has the historical significance of Jerusalem influenced its role in peace initiatives between Israelis and Palestinians?
  • Jerusalem's historical significance as a sacred city for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam has made it a focal point in peace initiatives. Its religious sites are deeply intertwined with national identities, leading to heightened tensions during negotiations. The city's status poses complex challenges for diplomats, as both sides have strong claims to sovereignty over it, which complicates efforts to reach a lasting resolution.
• Evaluate the impact of the Oslo Accords on the discourse surrounding Jerusalem in Israeli-Palestinian relations.
  • The Oslo Accords marked a significant turning point in Israeli-Palestinian relations by acknowledging mutual recognition and initiating a framework for peace. However, they deferred critical issues like Jerusalem's status for future negotiations. This postponement allowed for continued settlement expansion and rising tensions over control of religious sites, ultimately leading to increased polarization regarding Jerusalem within both communities.
• Synthesize the arguments for and against making Jerusalem an international city as part of peace negotiations.
  • Proponents of making Jerusalem an international city argue that this status could safeguard its sacred sites for all three religions, ensuring access and neutrality amid ongoing conflict. They believe it could serve as a compromise that acknowledges both sides' claims without favoring one over the other. Critics argue that such a proposal undermines national sovereignty and would be impractical given strong local identities attached to the city. They also fear it may not adequately address security concerns or lead to stability in a region historically marked by violence over territorial disputes.

Related terms

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A long-standing struggle between Israelis and Palestinians over land, political rights, and national identity, with Jerusalem as a critical point of contention.

Oslo Accords: A series of agreements made in the 1990s between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) aimed at achieving a peace process and establishing Palestinian self-governance.

Two-State Solution: A proposed framework for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by establishing two separate states for the two groups, with Jerusalem being a central issue in negotiations.