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.

Man stabbed to death in Jerusalem's Nahlaot after Jaffa shooting, Haifa stabbing

Earlier on Saturday, a man in his 30s was critically injured after a shooting on Jerusalem Boulevard in Jaffa, according to Ynet News.

JULY 11, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

The Jerusalem Bikur Cholim hospital in Jerusalem closes due to lack of money. November 30, 2010.

Jerusalem partially saves historic Bikur Cholim building after backlash over haredi seminary plan

Opponents propose turning it into a cultural or arts center, heritage campus, performance venue, cafes and community spaces, or a museum on Jerusalem medicine and preservation.

JULY 11, 2026|ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

Ultra-Orthodox protesters outside of the Basimta cafe on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

Haredi protesters rally outside Jerusalem cafe open on Shabbat

Hundreds of Jerusalem residents gathered in support of Cafe Basimta as police removed two protesters near the entrance.

JULY 11, 2026|ByEFRAT FORSHER

Summer ‘bevvy’ lineup, sampled by the ‘Post’ girls.

Tea Bar: How to tell it’s summer in Jerusalem - review

When the Jerusalem heat kicks in, there’s only one thing to do: find a cool drink.

JULY 11, 2026|BySHIR PERETS

Jerusalem’s real estate boom heads to New York for a major expo led by Mayor Moshe Lion

MAY 26, 2026ByISAAC KAPLAN

The stunning new Rovah neighborhood at the entrance to the city.

Anti-draft ultra-Orthodox protesters vandalize police cars in Jerusalem after draft dodger arrested

Officers from the station, as well as members of the police's Special Patrol Unit and Border Police, prevented the protesters from entering and dispersed them "through the usage of force."

MAY 25, 2026ByTZVI JASPER

Anti-IDF haredi activists Jerusalem Faction activists block the road under Jerusalem's Chords Bridge, April 29, 2026.

Jerusalem Day’s violence should not erase the memory of a divided city - opinion

Jerusalem Day sparks debate over media framing, past divisions, and competing narratives about the city’s unity and history.

MAY 23, 2026ByYISRAEL MEDAD

Jewish men dance with Israeli flags during Jerusalem Day celebrations at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City, May 26, 2025.

Winging it: Jerusalem writers festival lineup reveals a shifting cultural landscape

Envelope-pushing European-based American writer Nell Zink joins a stellar cast at this year’s Jerusalem International Writers Festival.

MAY 23, 2026ByBARRY DAVIS

The lost Leonard Cohen concerts in Israel may finally see the light of day

A court ruling could clear the way for the release of Leonard Cohen’s long-hidden Israel concerts and archives.

MAY 22, 2026ByDAVID BRINN

Sovev Jerusalem 2026 returns

More than 5,000 participants are expected to take part in Israel's largest cycling event, which will be held on May 29 in Jerusalem.

MAY 22, 2026ByWALLA! LOCAL

'I refuse to hide my cross': Jerusalem's Christians describe a climate of fear

Clergy, residents, and business owners say assaults against Christians in Jerusalem are becoming more frequent – and more tolerated

MAY 21, 2026ByDANA BEN-SHIMON

‘We were taught to love each other, not to hate. Christians are a peaceful community,’ says Naji Mansour, owner of Mansour Money Change in the Old City.

Premium