Jerusalem still suffers from divisions, 50 years after war
JERUSALEM — Israel is marking this week the 50th anniversary of its capture of east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war — an event it celebrates as the “unification” of its eternal capital.
But for Palestinians, there is little to celebrate. They also claim east Jerusalem as their capital, and live in neighbourhoods under Israeli control that suffer from poverty, neglect and poor services.
These stark contrasts are on display this week. Parades, light shows and festivals are being held throughout the city as Israeli Jews celebrate the capture of Jerusalem’s Old City from Jordanian troops half a century ago. The victory was hailed by Jews as marking the symbolic return of control over Judaism’s holiest sites after 2,000 years in exile.
The Old City is home to the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, and the adjacent hilltop compound revered by Jews as the Temple Mount, the spot where the biblical Temples once stood. The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Jerusalem.