Jerusalem

Jerusalem (; Hebrew: ; Yerushalayim; Arabic: al-Quds; see also names of Jerusalem) is an ancient Middle Eastern city of key importance to the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is the capital of the State of Israel.

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With a population of 704,900 (as of December 31, 2004 http://www.cbs.gov.il/population/new_2004/tab_3.pdf), it is a richly heterogeneous city, representing a wide range of national, religious, and socioeconomic groups. The section called the "Old City" is surrounded by walls and consists of four quarters: Jewish, Christian, Armenian, and Muslim.

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The status of the city is hotly disputed. The 1949 cease-fire line between Israel and Jordan, also known as the Green Line, cuts through the city. Since its victory in the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel has controlled the entire city and claims sovereignty over it. According to one of the Basic Laws of Israel, the Jerusalem Law, Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel, and is the center of Jerusalem District; it serves as the country's seat of government and otherwise functions as capital. Many countries do not recognize Israeli sovereignty over some or all of the city, and enforce this view by maintaining their embassies in Tel Aviv, or in the suburbs.

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Palestinians also claim all or part of Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

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Hebrew: The word Hebrew can variously mean:...

Arabic: redirect Arabic language...

Names of Jerusalem: This article explores the different names of Jerusalem and their linguistic natures, etc. For a discussion of the politics and history of Jerusalem itself, the Jerusalem article is probably a better place to start....

Jerusalem related Images and Photos (experimental)

Jerusalem	Jerusalem Israel	Jerusalem Israel	Jerusalem 1867
Jerusalem in Her Grandeur	Jerusalem is Besieged by Titus	Jewish Quarter Jerusalem Israel	Saladin I in Jerusalem circa 1830-50
Israeli Rabbi Funeral Jerusalem Israel	Jerusalem is Besieged by the Romans Commanded by Titus	A View of Jerusalem	Jerusalem: Easter Ceremony of the Sacred Fire at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre