Jerusalem is a sacred city for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. All three religions believe Abraham offered his son as a sacrifice here, though they differ on the details: Christians and Jews believe it was Isaac, while Muslims believe it was Ishmael. For Jews, the remnants of the Second Temple—the Western Wall—hold unparalleled significance. Muslims regard Jerusalem as the site where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven, commemorated by the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Christians revere it as the place of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
In 1948, after the establishment of Israel, Jerusalem was divided into eastern and western zones: the west came under Israeli control, while Jordan governed the east. Following the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel has occupied East Jerusalem to this day. In recent years, many Palestinians living in East Jerusalem have received eviction notices as their homes are repurposed for Israeli settlements.
Palestinians in East Jerusalem face a unique identity challenge—they are neither Israeli citizens nor recognized as citizens of the State of Palestine1. Instead, they hold “East Jerusalem residency permits.” They lack official passports and can only use travel documents issued by Israel or Jordan, but these documents are contradictory2.
In 2017, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital further heightened tensions in the region.
Note 1: Only some countries recognize Palestine’s sovereignty.
Note 2: Jordanian documents do not recognize East Jerusalem Palestinians as Jordanian nationals, while Israeli-issued documents classify them as Jordanians.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we ask You to call upon scholars in international law, geopolitics, and diplomacy to dedicate their expertise and collaborate across disciplines to seek a just resolution for the status of the holy city of Jerusalem. May leaders in Western nations act with caution and wisdom when expressing their positions on Jerusalem, carefully considering the history, culture, religious beliefs, and identity of the Palestinians in East Jerusalem, and ensuring they are given a fair chance to voice their perspectives. Lord, we especially lift up the unique identity challenges faced by Palestinians in East Jerusalem. We pray that You will raise moderate political leaders within the Israeli government who will enact fair policies, treating Palestinians in this holy city with compassion and ensuring their basic rights to live and thrive are upheld. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.