Imagine a city with a history as rich and complex as Jerusalem’s. This ancient city, revered by three major religions, has been at the center of countless wars and conquests throughout the centuries. Each new era brought new rulers, new cultures, and new conflicts, shaping the city into what it is today. One of the most significant changes in Jerusalem’s history occurred in 1948 with the establishment of Israel. Since then, the city has been a point of contention, claimed by both Israel and Palestine, divided between Muslims and Jews, and caught in the crossfire of a decades-long conflict. A crucial period in Jerusalem’s history was its time under the Ottoman Empire. For centuries, Jerusalem was a melting pot city under Ottoman rule, characterized by a unique blend of cultures and traditions. During this time, Jerusalem thrived as a center of religious pilgrimage and scholarship, drawing Muslims, Christians, and Jews from around the world. The Ottoman authorities, while maintaining control over the city, allowed for a degree of religious and cultural autonomy, leading to a vibrant and diverse community. However, the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought significant changes to Jerusalem. The rise of European imperialism and the decline of the Ottoman Empire led to increased European influence in the region. This period also saw the growth of nationalist movements, including Zionism, which sought to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The First World War marked the end of Ottoman rule in the region, with Jerusalem falling under British control in 1917. From 1922 to 1948 the total population of the city rose from 52,000 to 165,000, comprising two-thirds Jews and one-third Arabs (Muslims and Christians). Relations between Arab Christians and Muslims and the growing Jewish population in Jerusalem deteriorated, resulting in recurring unrest. In Jerusalem, in particular, Arab riots occurred in 1920 and in 1929. Under the British, new garden suburbs were built in the western and northern parts of the city and institutions of higher learning such as the Hebrew University were founded. As the British Mandate for Palestine was expiring, the 1947 UN Partition Plan recommended “the creation of a special international regime in the City of Jerusalem, constituting it as a corpus separatum under the administration of the UN.” The international regime (which also included the city of Bethlehem) was to remain in force for a period of ten years, whereupon a referendum was to be held in which the residents were to decide the future regime of their city. However, this plan was not implemented, as the 1948 war erupted, while the British withdrew from Palestine and Israel declared its independence. (Photo credit: Library of Congress). Notify me of new posts by email.

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