Jerusalem
Jerusalem (Hebrew: ירושלים, Yerushalayim) is a holy city to all three of the major Abrahamic religions. West Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, while East Jerusalem is viewed by Palestinians as the capital of Palestine. It is home to the ruins of the Jewish temple, the Christian Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Muslim Dome of the Rock.
Politically, it is one of the most contested cities on earth and has been since the Crusades. Today, it is under Israeli sovereignty, but the eastern part of the city is desired by Palestinians as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Israel's sovereignty over eastern Jerusalem is not internationally recognized.
Jerusalem is home to both secular and ultra-orthodox Jews. The ultra-orthodox usually keep to themselves, but can be known to exercise a lot of power, particularly when it comes to women's rights in Jerusalem (or lack thereof), such as demanding segregated buses Jim Crow style in ultra-orthodox neighborhoods.
In 2008 a strange cloud of common sense wafted over the city: the populace voted for a secular mayor. The previous mayor was strictly orthodox and was accused of favouring his co-religionists.
[edit] Other Uses
Jerusalem is also the title of a hymn by William Blake.
“”And did those feet in ancient times walk upon England's mountains green; (Err... no)
And was the holy Lamb of God on England’s pleasant pastures seen! (still no, I'm afraid) |