Melting pot of peoples and religions, Jerusalem inhabited by people three abrahamic religions.

Jerusalem for Jews, Al-Quds for Muslims, Jerusalem for Christians. sacred to all.

The coexistence of two peoples and three religions on a small piece of land in the eastern Mediterranean is far from harmonious.

This ancient city often becomes a “theatre” of conflicts. The escalation of violence in the region in recent days is the latest episode in a long and bloody history of conflict.

Why Jerusalem matters to Israelis and Palestinians

Israel believes Jerusalem his “indivisible, eternal” capital. Jerusalem’s eastern sector, annexed by Israel in 1967 during the Six Day War, includes the old city of Jerusalem, home to great Jewish, Christian and Muslim shrines. The occupation of East Jerusalem was declared illegal under international law and condemned by the United Nations and the international community.

In the future, the Palestinians hope for a state that will include the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The fate of eastern Jerusalem and its holy places is one of the hottest issues in the periodic peace talks between the two sides.

Jews born in East Jerusalem are Israeli citizens, while Palestinians from East Jerusalem simply receive permanent resident status, which can be revoked if they reside elsewhere for an extended period of time. They retain the option to apply for citizenship, but the process is lengthy and uncertain.

Israel has built Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem with over 230,000 settlers. About 360,000 more Palestinians live there, but Israel has severely restricted the development of Palestinian settlements, which has led to overcrowding of existing ones and the construction of thousands of illegal settlements that are threatened with demolition at any moment.

Years ago, Jewish settlers tried to evict dozens of Palestinian families from their homes in and around the Old City, citing ancestral property. This campaign also heightened tensions.

It is noted that a century ago, Christians made up a quarter of the population of Jerusalem, and today less than 2%.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Israeli organization B’Tselem condemn Israel for its policy of discrimination and apartheid in East Jerusalem. Reasons that Israel denies, claiming that the inhabitants of Jerusalem are treated the same way.

Violence in Holy Places in Jerusalem

Palestinians consider this area sacred the last remnant of their land not under Israeli controlalways fearing, however, the possible occupation of it by Israel.

For its part, Israel assures that it does not intend to change the status quo that has developed in the region since 1967.

“However, now the country is run by the most right-wing government in its history, ultranationalists and ultra-orthodox government.”

Palestinians recently barricaded themselves inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque, demanding the right to pray there, which Israel only allows during the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan.

In addition, the Palestinians are trying to prevent the Jews from ritual slaughter of animals in this sacred place. Although the government bans this ancient rite, some are calling for its revival, even offering monetary rewards to those who perform it.

This year, Ramadan and Jewish Passover coincide, and there are often conflicts over prayer.

Temple Mount or Haram al-Sharif

The Jewish Temple Mount, or Haram al-Sharif (translated from Muslim as the Noble Sanctuary), on which the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock are located, is the third most important place for Muslims (after Mecca and Medina) and in parallel most sacred to the Jews.

Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad, having traveled from Mecca to Jerusalem, ascended from there to heaven.

On the other hand, the Jews believe that this was the place where King Solomon laid foundation stone of the first temple 3000 years ago. The temple itself was destroyed by the Babylonians, but the site remains sacred to Judaism.

The Western Wall (or Wailing Wall) is the only surviving part of the ancient temple, located a few meters from two Muslim mosques, and the only part of the Temple Mount where Jews can pray.

After the annexation of East Jerusalem by Jordan one who agreed to remain a keeper sacred space by designating one special tool (the so-called waqf) to observe it.

Jews and believers of other religions are allowed to enter the sacred Al-Aqsa complex at certain times of the day, but they are forbidden to pray there.

However, it is the Israeli police that control Jerusalem’s security, giving the Jews much more leverage than the status quo provides. Some accuse them of, contrary to the rules, facilitating the prayer of Jews who have doubts about the current current regime.

Regular police raids on the holy site often lead to clashes with Palestinian worshippers.

For Palestinians living in the West Bank, access to Al-Aqsa is difficult. However, for the residents of Gaza, this is almost impossible, SkyNews notes.

Source: Associated Press/SkyNews.