Jerusalem: a city holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims

Jerusalem is more than just a holy city - it is a living, breathing space where diverse communities interact daily. Walking through its ancient alleys you hear a symphony of languages, witness prayers in different traditions, and feel the weight of thousands of years of shared and contested history.

Despite political tensions, Jews, Christians, and Muslims have lived together in the city for ages, sharing neighborhoods, marketplaces, and institutions. This is a city where faiths intertwine, histories overlap, and the daily lives of its people reveal a complex yet profound connection to the land they call home.

From left to right: the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Neighborhoods that reflect diversity

In Jerusalem, neighborhoods reveal the city's complex demographic makeup.

In Abu Tor, Jewish and Arab families live side by side, forming one of the few genuinely mixed communities in the city. A stroll through this neighborhood reveals Arabic and Hebrew spoken interchangeably, with shared businesses catering to both populations.

Another example is Beit Safafa, a Palestinian village located in the South of Jerusalem that has been a model of harmonious coexistence, fostering positive social and professional relationships with Jewish visitors and customers

Meanwhile, the French Hill area near Hebrew University is home to Jewish students, Arab residents from East Jerusalem, and international scholars. This convergence creates a melting pot of cultures, where social interactions in cafes and on university campuses challenge political divisions.

Religious sites: points of conflict yet of cooperation

Jerusalem’s religious sites often serve as focal points for both tension and unity.

The Western Wall, one of Judaism’s holiest sites, is a place of prayer and reflection for Jews worldwide. It is the last remaining part of the Second Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. Despite its deep significance for Jewish worshippers, the site is also a place of historical encounter, where tourists and visitors of all faiths gather, making it a symbol of Jerusalem’s shared history.

Above the Western Wall lies the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock/Al-Aqsa Mosque, a site sacred to both Jews and Muslims. For Jews, this is the location of the First and Second Temples, with the Third Temple believed to be built there in the future. The Dome of the Rock, built in 691 CE by the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik, now stands at its center, marking the place from which Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. The Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, is also located within this compound, making the area a powerful religious landmark for both faiths.

Christianity also has deep roots in the city. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in the Christian Quarter, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christianity, believed to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. The church is shared by six Christian denominations, including Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian Apostolic, each with designated areas and responsibilities.

Another significant Christian site is the Church of St. John the Baptist in Ein Karem, a picturesque village in western Jerusalem. This church, believed to be the birthplace of John the Baptist, is maintained by Franciscan friars and features beautiful artwork, a grotto marking John the Baptist's birthplace, and inscriptions of the Benedictus (the song of Zechariah) in multiple languages.

Everyday life in markets, schools, and hospitals

Markets like Mahane Yehuda and the Old City’s souks provide some of the best examples of harmony. Here, Jewish and Arab merchants operate side by side, often developing long-term friendships and business partnerships. Shoppers from all backgrounds browse stalls, sometimes pausing to chat in a mix of Hebrew and Arabic.

In healthcare, ar Hadassah Medical Center Jewish and Arab doctors work together to treat patients of all faiths. These institutions show that in critical areas of life - like health - cooperation transcends political and religious divides.

Education is another realm where integration efforts persist. The Hand in Hand school network fosters bilingual education for Jewish and Arab children, promoting mutual understanding from a young age. These schools create a rare environment where students celebrate both Jewish and Arab holidays together, forming lasting friendships that defy societal divisions.

The shared future of Jerusalem

Despite the strong and undeniable ongoing challenges, which often see citizens from various backgrounds of the city involved in more or less heated clashes, many residents of Jerusalem are committed to fostering unity and acceptance. Local initiatives, such as the Jerusalem Intercultural Center, work to build bridges through dialogue programs, language courses, and joint community projects. Additionally, shared economic ventures, particularly in the tech sector, have brought Jewish and Arab entrepreneurs together in pursuit of common goals.

For many, Jerusalem is not just a city of division - it is a shared home. While political realities remain complex, the daily lives of those who live here tell a more articulated - story one of resilience and hope. The future of Jerusalem will be shaped not only by policies and conflicts but also by the ordinary moments that continue to unfold in its streets, schools, and workplaces.