Why is Jerusalem so important for Jews and Muslims?

At the heart of the enduring Israel-Palestine conflict lies the ancient city of Jerusalem, a site of profound spiritual and historical importance for Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike.

Through the ages, this sacred city has served as a locus for spiritual manifestations, scriptural accounts, and enduring cultural heritage, fostering a shared yet contested sense of belonging among the three Abrahamic religions.

As tensions persist and conflicts escalate, understanding the unique significance of Jerusalem for these religious traditions is important to understand issue.

Jews' perspective on Jerusalem

• Jerusalem holds a prominent place in the Hebrew Bible. In Judaism, it is the site where Abraham, the first Patriarch of Judaism, nearly sacrificed his son Isaac to God thousands of years ago.
• According to the Book of Deuteronomy, Jerusalem is the place "the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes, as a place established in his name," as discovered by Jacob, also known as Israel, Abraham's son.
• Jerusalem served as the capital of King David's Israel in the Hebrew Bible, and it was where David's son, Solomon, constructed his temple.

Jerusalem's significance for Muslims

• In Islam, Jerusalem is revered as a holy site because it is believed to be the place from where the Prophet Muhammad embarked on his mystical journey, the 'Meraj,' during which he ascended to the heavens.
• According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet was transported from Jerusalem on the 'buraq' to meet God, receiving the commandments that initially entailed Muslims to pray 50 times a day.
• The number was later reduced to five, the frequency observed by Muslims today.
• Jerusalem was also the original direction Muslims faced while offering prayers, although the direction has since shifted towards Mecca.
• Islamic tradition suggests that Jerusalem will play a crucial role in the events of the world's end.

Israel's control over Jerusalem

• Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has consistently asserted its claim to Jerusalem.
• Following the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel gained control of East Jerusalem, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque came under
• Jewish authority, leading to numerous incidents of violence against Palestinians attempting to pray there.
• According to UN figures, around 15,500 Arabs have been displaced from Israel since 1967, while Jewish settlements in Jerusalem have expanded.
• The Jewish state has rejected several UN resolutions aimed at limiting its actions in Jerusalem.