What is Jerusalems importance to Palestinians?
Jerusalem is the historic center of Palestinian cultural and economic life, and is revered by Palestinian Christians and Muslims alike. It is the third holiest place in Islam, as well as the holiest place for Palestinian Christians. Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. Its combination of religious, political, and economic significance for both Palestinians and Israelis makes it a central issue to be resolved in negotiations. Israel’s de facto control over the city results in considerable strife. Palestinians have pushed back against Israel’s effort, documented by former Deputy Mayor Meron Benvenisti, to keep the city’s population 72 percent Jewish. Maintaining a presence in East Jerusalem, however, has not been easy due to Israel’s discriminatory policies targeting Palestinian Jerusalemites, including home demolitions, evictions, denial of residency rights, and refusal to issue building permits. Palestinians also contend with religious affronts, such a
