Jerusalem: Shared Capital or Divided City?

Jerusalem: Shared Capital or Divided City?

Jerusalem is not just a city. It is a symbol, a memory, a prayer, and a battlefield—all rolled into one. For centuries, Jerusalem has been a place of deep religious significance and political conflict. Today, it stands at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian struggle. The question remains: Is Jerusalem a shared capital for two peoples, or a city divided by walls, policies, and power?

Why Jerusalem Matters

Jerusalem holds profound religious significance for three major world religions:

• Islam: Home to Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam.

• Christianity: The place where Jesus was crucified and resurrected.

• Judaism: Site of the ancient Temple Mount and the Western Wall.

But beyond religion, Jerusalem is a center of political identity and national longing—especially for Palestinians who see East Jerusalem as the future capital of a Palestinian state.

A City Divided by Borders and Realities

Following the 1948 war, Jerusalem was divided:

• West Jerusalem was controlled by the newly formed state of Israel.

• East Jerusalem, including the Old City and Al-Aqsa, was under Jordanian control.

In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel occupied East Jerusalem and later annexed it—a move not recognized by the international community.

Since then, Jerusalem has become a de facto unified city under Israeli control, but in truth, it remains deeply divided:

• Different neighborhoods, services, schools, and even road systems.

• Israeli settlements expanding in East Jerusalem.

• Palestinian neighborhoods often neglected or threatened with displacement.

• Security checkpoints, surveillance, and restrictions around holy sites.

The Status of East Jerusalem

For Palestinians, East Jerusalem is not negotiable. It is:

• The cultural, historical, and political heart of Palestine.

• Home to over 350,000 Palestinians, who live under Israeli control but are often denied full citizenship and rights.

• A target of continued settlement expansion and home demolitions.

Israel, however, claims all of Jerusalem as its "eternal and undivided capital", a position strengthened by moves like the U.S. Embassy relocation to Jerusalem in 2018 under President Trump—despite global opposition.

What Does International Law Say?

The international community, including the United Nations, considers East Jerusalem to be occupied territory. Resolutions such as UNSC 478 condemn the Israeli annexation and emphasize the need for a negotiated settlement over the city’s final status.

Despite this, on the ground, facts are being created:

• Israeli settlements continue to grow.

• Palestinian residency rights are routinely revoked.

• Historic buildings and sites are repurposed or restricted.

Jerusalem in the Peace Process

Every attempt at peace—from Oslo to Camp David—has hit a wall when it comes to Jerusalem. Key sticking points include:

• Sovereignty over holy sites

• Freedom of access to religious places

• Recognition of East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital

Israel insists on full control, while Palestinians demand a return of East Jerusalem and respect for their national and spiritual claims.

Can a compromise be found? Or is the city destined to remain a flashpoint of conflict?

Voices from the Ground: Two Realities, One City

In Jerusalem, two peoples live in parallel worlds:

• In West Jerusalem, you’ll find modern cafes, government buildings, and mostly Jewish residents.

• In East Jerusalem, there are vibrant Palestinian communities, struggling schools, and a growing sense of dispossession.

One side experiences privilege, the other, systemic marginalization.

Yet in between, there are glimmers of coexistence:

• Mixed classrooms

• Shared markets

• Joint cultural projects

But these efforts remain fragile and often overshadowed by policies of separation and control.

What Would a Shared Jerusalem Look Like?

The idea of a shared Jerusalem has been proposed in various forms:

• Two capitals for two states, with open access to religious sites.

• International custodianship of the Old City.

• Municipal autonomy for Palestinian neighborhoods.

But can a city so charged with history, grief, and identity be truly shared?

To do so would require:

• Recognition of Palestinian rights and presence

• Ending discriminatory laws and practices

• Rebuilding trust between communities

• International support for a just solution

Conclusion: Divided Yet Undivided

Jerusalem stands today as a microcosm of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—a city that contains within its walls the hopes, fears, and futures of two peoples.

To Palestinians, it is a beating heart under occupation, waiting to be free.
To Israelis, it is a symbol of sovereignty, never to be divided.

Whether Jerusalem becomes a shared capital or remains a divided city depends not only on leaders and politics—but on the will of its people to imagine something different. Something just. Something peaceful.

Until then, Jerusalem will remain what it has always been: a city of many names, many prayers, and many truths.

Let me know if you'd like this turned into a visual or interactive post (timeline, map, or photo essay), or if you’d like a related blog on topics like the Old City, settlements in East Jerusalem, or religious access at Al-Aqsa.