Photo: Sir Martin’s map: Jerusalem: Capital of the State of Israel since 1949
300 words / 1 ½ minute read
“On 28 June 1967 the Israeli Government announced the official reunification of the City, whose barbed-wire barriers, anti-sniper walls and road blocks were at once demolished, and all of whose inhabitants were allowed to go freely to all parts of the City for the first time in 20 years.” Martin’s text from the map “Jerusalem and the Six Day War, June 1967”.
On this May 30th just passed, Jerusalem hosted its annual Gay Pride Parade under the slogan “Born to be Free” to call for the release of the hostages held in Gaza and in its traditional support of LGBTQ rights. In light of the war in Gaza, Tel Aviv has cancelled its parade this year, but the Jerusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance continued its tradition.
Israel – Tel Aviv and Jerusalem – hosts the largest and oldest Pride parades (dating from 1993) with events that celebrate diversity and equality, along with the most legal protections for the LGBTQ community of anywhere in the Middle East. In the Arab world (including Gaza) even the suspicion of homosexual behaviour can lead to criminalisation, as homosexuality is illegal.
Jerusalem is home to more denominations of Christian churches than any other city in the world. It is the Muslim community of Jerusalem through the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf that manages the Temple Mount, the site of the first and second Temples holy to Jews (the “Western” or “Wailing” Wall is a remnant of one of the retaining walls of the Temple), and the third holiest site to Muslims after Mecca and Medina. Wherever they are in the world, Jews face Jerusalem when they pray; Muslims face Mecca at prayer, even those praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount.
“On 27 June 1967, following the Israeli conquest of east Jerusalem, the Israeli Parliament (the Knesset) guaranteed free access to the Holy Places to all religions. On 29 November 1968 this right was specifically extended to citizens of those Arab States which declared themselves still at war with Israel, or which refused to recognise Israel as a sovereign State.” Martin’s text from the map “Jerusalem since 1967”.
Jerusalem: a complicated city, ancient, modern, proud, and strong.
Get this book: Jerusalem Atlas
