Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a city located in the Middle East, known for its profound religious significance to the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Here are some detailed points about Jerusalem:
History
- Ancient History: Jerusalem's history can be traced back to around 4000 BC. It has been destroyed at least twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times.
- King David: According to the Hebrew Bible, King David captured Jerusalem in the 10th century BC and made it the capital of the United Monarchy, and his son Solomon built the First Temple.
- Second Temple Period: After the destruction of the First Temple by the Neo-Babylonian Empire, the Second Temple was built in the 6th century BC. This period saw the city under Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman rule.
- Roman Rule and Destruction: In 70 AD, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple following the First Jewish-Roman War.
- Islamic Era: In 638 AD, Caliph Umar conquered Jerusalem, marking the beginning of Islamic rule. The Dome of the Rock was built in 691 AD, which is one of the earliest and most significant structures in Islamic architecture.
- Crusades and Later: Jerusalem was the focal point of numerous conflicts, including the Crusades. The city was captured by the Ottoman Empire in 1517, which ruled until the end of World War I.
- Modern Era: After World War I, Jerusalem came under British Mandate for Palestine until 1948. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Jerusalem was divided, with West Jerusalem under Israeli control and East Jerusalem, including the Old City, under Jordanian control.
- Reunification: In the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel captured East Jerusalem, reuniting the city. Israel later annexed East Jerusalem, which has not been internationally recognized.
Religious Significance
Politics and Conflict
- Current Status: The status of Jerusalem remains one of the most contentious issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel considers Jerusalem its eternal and undivided capital, whereas Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future State of Palestine.
- International Recognition: Most countries do not recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, with several maintaining their embassies in Tel Aviv instead.
Cultural Heritage
- World Heritage: The Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.
- Archaeology: The city is rich in archaeological finds, providing evidence of its long history and the various cultures that have inhabited it.
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