21st Century Jerusalem

In the 21st century, Israel made peace with Egypt but was only able to maintain a temporary peace with Lebanon due to a change in the rulers, and was not able to convince Syria to make peace. Regardless, Israel's efforts of peace and its lack of acting on terrorist attacks were noticed and appreciated throughout the Western World. Specifically, they were encouraged by the United States. In the year 2000, Israel withdraws from southern Lebanon, which is shortly followed by Ariel Sharon's strolling around the Temple Mount and the subsequent Second Intifada. September 11, 2001 changed everything as the U.S., a huge supporter of Israeli peace and the most powerful country in the world, responded to terrorist attacks by practically wiping out two countries. After this reaction, Israel stated that if they were bombed or attacked, they would react in a similar manner. In 2002, Israel began construction on the West Bank Barrier, a barrier not officially recognized by the 1947 UN boundary, but based on the 1992 boundary.

Israelis argue that the Western Wall is necessary to keep dangerous Palestinians from coming across. The Palestinians argue that the wall promotes segregation and is incredibly inconvenient for those who work or have daily activities on the other side of the wall. In 2004, Yassar Araft dies and in 2006 Hamas defeats Fatah (Arafat's group) in the Palestinian Elections. Hamas does not know how to rule and is very prone to picking fights with the Israelis. No countries want to see Hamas as a legitimate government so they receive no foreign aid and are completely blocked out of Israel. In 2007 the "Palestinian Civil War" occurs as Hamas takes control of the Gaza and Fatah controls the West Bank. In 2010, Israel announces new housing settlements in East Jerusalem, Palestine's area. The future of Jerusalem is largely unpredictable. Many hope for peace, some claim its impossible. Many say it will become an actual international city, while others claim that a two or three-state solution is coming.

20th Century Jerusalem

The twentieth century began with a development  of secular zionism, or the notion for a Jewish state but not strictly one filled with super religious Jews. This vision is often attributed to Theodore Herzl. Due to the rising of Jewish pride coupled with Jewish success, resentment in first Catholic and later Muslim communities began to arise. With World War I, Jerusalem became the headquarters for the VII Turkish corps, causing controversy with the Armenian quarter within Jerusalem. The end of World War I brought the  British Mandate Period from 1918-1948, when the English and the French divided the Palestine and the surrounding areas in the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916. The Balfour Declaration then established Palestine as a national home for Jewish people, a quite support of the notion of zionism. However, this ambiguity behind the purpose of the Balfour Declaration soon led to Churchill's "White Paper" which attempted to clarify the idea of Palestine to both Jews and Muslims. This clarification backfired and further confusion and violence led to the Peel Commission of 1937, which partitioned a two-state solution with Jerusalem as an international city.

As conflicts continued, the British were being attacked by the Jews and decided to end the British Mandate in the War of Independence (1948). During this time, the Jews were an armed paramilitary group not part of a recognized state, so the question begs whether or not most people considered them to be terrorists. To the East, King Abdullah of Jordan made a stride towards peace, which was quickly shot down by his son, King Hussein. In the Six-Day War, Egyptian and Jordanian forces attempted a surprise attack on Israel, which was pre-empted with an Israeli force. Intifadas or "uprisings" began in the 80's. Just when the regions were closer to obtaining peace, Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon took a stroll around the Temple Mount, which was highly prohibited and provoked another intifada. Prior to this, the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) developed as the sole representation of the Palestinian people. In the Oslo Accords, the PLO recognizes Israel's right to exist and Yassar Arafat is recognized as the leader.

Mamluk & Ottoman Jerusalem

Under the Mamluk phenomenon (a movement of slaves and people with little control with the symbolic purpose of defending Jerusalem), Jerusalem became a center for religion. Simultaneously, Jerusalem was politically and militarily insignificant. Under Mamluk, there was many building projects that built schools, hospices, and hostels. Mamluk architecture was domed with decorative techniques (muqarnas) inside. One of the famous schools built was the Al-Madrasa al-Ashrafiyya, a Qur'anic school that demonstrates the beauty of Mamluk architecture. In addition, charitable foundations were made on the Temple Mount, referred to as the Haram. Finally, during this time the Jewish Quarter continued to grow and Kabbalah (or Jewish mysticism) was developed in the absence of the physical temple.

In 1516, Jerusalem fell into the control of the Ottoman Empire. Selim I defeated the Maluks and established the "first qiblah" or direction of prayer. The Ottoman administration was known for a strong centralized government with poweful rulers. One of the most notable rulers was Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who worked on many public works, including rebuilding walls and an extensive campaign to refurbish the Haram. In addition, Jewish refugees were encouraged to settle in Jerusalem to restore the city and its population, which began to rapidly increase. Finally, the Western Wall was given to the Jews by Suleiman as a place of prayer that soon began to attract myths regarding its origin and significance. Saladin's efforts allowed the Jews to resettle and begin to establish "Zionism".

Crusader Jerusalem

The Crusades were considered "holy wars" which mostly included battles between Roman Catholic forces and Muslims. It also heavily influenced a re-capture of Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Islamic rule. The main catalyst behind the Crusades was the calling of Pope Urban II to the Christian public to spread Christianity and defend their faith in 1095. In addition, Christianity's popularity and growth was being challenged by the Muslims. The first crusade was mostly a band of ill-prepared peasants who were ultimately slaughtered by the Muslims. The nobles and wealthier population waited in order to purchase the necessary supplies and plan accordingly. The 1st Crusade was successful in conquering Jerusalem under Godfrey de Bouillon, deemed "King of Jerusalem." The 2nd Crusade was preached by St. Bernard at Vezelay in 1147. Finally, on July 4, 1187 Salah ad-Din traps the Crusaders at the Horns of Hattin.

During this period, many new churches were built in Jerusalem and various quarters of Jerusalem (the Patriarch's quarter, the Templar's quarter, the Syrian quarter, and the Armenian quarter) were established. Maps found from the Crusader period were instrumental in depicting Jerusalem and its quarters at this time. Among one of the most important of the Crusaders' accomplishments was the rebuilding of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Another was the building of the Church of St. Anne (Mary's mother). However, all of the glory of the Crusades quickly came to an end in 1187 CE when Salah ah-Din won the victory at the Horns of Hattins and Abuyyid Jerusalem was established.

Islamic Jerusalem

The Sasanians, the last pre-Islamic Persian Empire, took control of Palestine and Jerusalem 614 BCE. Jews lived in relative peace during this period until the Byzantine period when massacres against Jews began once again. The Byzantine Period ended when the Muslim Caliph Umar took control of Jerusalem in 638 BCE. Jerusalem was the original Mihrab before Muhammad deemed that the direction of prayer should be towards the Kaaba in Mecca. The Umayyad Dynasty, which reigned from 638 to 750 CE, had a tolerance for both Christians and Jews and even allowed their pilgrimages. The Umayyad's built a plethora of monuments in Jerusalem and loved to add their own touch to areas such as the Temple Mount.

Notable among the Islamic structures in Jerusalem is the Dome of the Rock, which was comissioned in 687 CE and finished in 691 CE. The Dome of the Rock is built upon the spot where the prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven. It is also seen as the place of final judgement. Built near by was the Al-Alsqa Mosque, where a prayer made in Al-Asqa is 500 times more powerful than praying elsewhere, and which Westerners can no longer enter.

After the Umayyad's came the Abbasid Dynasty. The Abbasid's attempted to wipe out all of the Umayyad's many accomplishments and installed anti-Christian movements. The Fatimids (from Egypt) followed and under their rule, the treatment of Christians and Jews generally varied depending on the local leader.

Byzantine Jerusalem

With the rise of Jesus and the oncoming wave of Christianity, the Temple slowly became rejected as religion became much more spiritual. In addition, many of the prophets, such as Mark and Luke, began to claim that Jesus was predicting events that later occurred, such as the Temple's destruction. These same prophets claim that Jerusalem was the place where Jesus is said to have been crucified, buried, and resurrected, highlighting its importance to Christianity.

In an attempt to drive out Judaism, the Roman Empire had turned Jerusalem into a "Roman town" and named it Aelia Capitolia. During this same stage, the Roman Empire was divided into a tetrarchy from which Constantine arose as the sole leader of the Roman Empire. Constantine was an avid follower of Christianity and released the Edict of Milan which legalized Christianity. It is arguable that Constantine forever changed Christianity from a pacifist religion to one of aggression. Constantine's mother, Helena, was the first Christian pilgrim and started a religious practice that has lasted until today. In 391 BCE, Theodosius names Christianity the state religion and begins to persecute those who do not believe.

The Madaba Map is a mosaic on a church floor that is seen as very important because it is an accurate map of Jerusalem. One of the things it depicts is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which became the axis mundi of the Christian religion and the new location of many of the Old Testament events.

Roman / Herodian Jerusalem

In 63 BCE, Pompey conquered Jerusalem and annexed it for Rome. Following Pompey was the rise of Herod the Great and his violent methods of taking control of Galilee, Samaria, and Idumea, and finally Jerusalem in 37 BCE. Herod's knowledge of the Jewish tradition helped him conquer Jerusalem without the Jews rebelling. Herod the Great was known as a very effective yet paranoid and impulsive ruler. He was obsessed with building projects (such as the Western Wall, additions to the Temple Mount, Robinson's Arch, the Hippodrome, and the Herodian) and consistently did things for the good of Rome, not Jerusalem.

Herod still felt strongly that the Jewish religion should be cherished, as was evidenced from the Temple warning to gentiles to not pass into the Temple. There is lots of debate as to whether or not Herod the Great was a good or bad king. He was only half Jewish and constantly worked for the Romans, yet his building projects provided jobs for the citizens of Jerusalem and his policies often favored the Jewish religion over others.