Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine, its largest city in terms of area and population, and the most significant in both religious and economic terms. It was founded and built by our ancestors, the Jebusites, in the fifth millennium BCE. The city lies in a mountainous region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. Over time, Jerusalem grew and expanded, with its culture and demographic composition shaped and reshaped by the civilizations that ruled over it until the present day.
The rich history of Jerusalem reflects its unique place in human civilization. The city is regarded as a spiritual and cultural center, distinguished by the diversity of civilizations that have passed through it, leaving behind a wealth of monuments that highlight the greatness of this place. These abundant relics attest to the continual redefinition of Jerusalem’s history and confirm its enduring significance through the ages. To this day, Jerusalem remains one of the most influential cities in the world. Throughout history, various factors contributed to making Jerusalem a unique civilizational and spiritual hub—most notably its geography, religious significance, and cultural diversity.
Policeman during the British Occupation 1934
The city’s strategic location links the three continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe, making it a crossroads of trade and culture. It is a sacred city for the three monotheistic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—and is home to major religious landmarks such as Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, making it a destination for pilgrims and visitors throughout the ages. Jerusalem witnessed the presence of many civilizations, including the Canaanites, Romans, Arabs, Crusaders, and Ottomans, each leaving its imprint on the city and adding to its cultural and architectural richness.
Jerusalem has been deeply influenced by these civilizations, which enriched its cultural and architectural identity and made it a meeting point of religions and cultures across history. Among the most important influences:
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Canaanite Civilization: Jerusalem is one of the world’s oldest cities. It was founded by the Canaanites around 3000 BCE. Their civilization left architectural and cultural remains such as ancient walls and temples, reflecting the beginning of the city’s history, when the Jebusites made it their center.
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Roman Civilization: Following the Roman conquest, Jerusalem underwent major changes to its infrastructure, including temples and roads. The destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE had a profound impact on Judaism.
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Islamic Civilization:
With the Islamic conquest in the 7th century CE, Jerusalem became an important center of Islamic culture. The construction of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock elevated its religious significance. The city also flourished culturally and scientifically under Islamic rule. -
Crusader Period: During the Crusades, the Crusaders captured Jerusalem and established their kingdom there. This period left architectural remains such as fortresses and churches, profoundly affecting the city’s demographic and cultural composition.
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Ottoman Rule: The Ottoman Empire ruled Jerusalem for over 400 years (1517–1917). During this time, the city witnessed significant cultural and architectural prosperity. Many Islamic landmarks were built, and the Ottomans contributed greatly to preserving the city’s religious and cultural diversity.
Because of its great importance, Jerusalem has endured repeated devastation: it was destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times. It is among the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Traditionally, it has been divided into four quarters: the Armenian Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Jewish Quarter, and the Muslim Quarter. Today, it stands at the center of the conflict between the Palestinian people and the Zionist settler-colonial project.
In 1917, following the defeat of the Ottoman army in World War I, Jerusalem—and all of Palestine—fell under the British Mandate. A defining feature of this period was the sharp rise in Jewish immigration to the city: the Jewish population grew from 52,000 to 165,000 by 1948, facilitated by British support. Britain built entire neighborhoods in the northern and western parts of the city for Jewish settlers, established institutions for them, and at the same time suppressed Palestinian resistance and persecuted the indigenous population.
In 1947, the United Nations proposed making Jerusalem and Bethlehem international cities under UN supervision, with a referendum after ten years to determine their future governance. However, in 1948, Britain ended its Mandate, withdrew its forces, and effectively handed over power and arms to Zionist militias, enabling them to take control.
That same year, Zionist forces occupied West Jerusalem. Later, in 1967, Israel occupied East Jerusalem, which had been under the control of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In 1980, Israel illegally annexed East Jerusalem—contrary to international laws, agreements, and UN resolutions—and declared the unified city (East and West) its capital.
Between 2002 and 2006, Israel built the illegal apartheid separation wall on West Bank land, severing Jerusalem and its surroundings from the rest of the Palestinian cities occupied in 1967.
Source: A brief translation of Nazmi Joubeh’s article: Key Milestones in the Civilizational History of Ancient Jerusalem