Jerusalem Story - The City Retold

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Spiritual and Religious Life

For centuries, Jerusalem has been holy to the three monotheistic religions. What are the realities facing those who wish to worship in this treasured holy space today?

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Closure and Access to Jerusalem

Jerusalem is known as an open, international, “city of peace.” For millions of Palestinians, however, it is a closed, virtually unreachable, city.

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The Separation Wall

Israel's Separation Wall, called al-jidar by Palestinians, has drastically reshaped the geopolitical fabric of Jerusalem.

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Who Are the Palestinians of Jerusalem?

Palestinians comprise nearly half the population of Jerusalem and have built, and shaped, the city for centuries, yet their stories are rarely told.

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Surveillance and Detention

How do ubiquitous surveillance, mass arrests, and prolonged detentions facilitate Israel’s iron grip of control over Palestinian Jerusalemites?

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Video Yearning for Ramadan

A jeweler in the Old City shares his wistful dreams for the holy month of Ramadan as it approaches. What’s he wishing for?

Graphic Freedom of Worship Denied: Ramadan 2023 for Palestinians

Israel claims that it allows access to Muslim holy sites for those with PA IDs who wish to pray. But how true was this during Ramadan 2023? A snapshot.

Video The Awaited Cannon

The firing of the Ramadan cannon is a centuries-old tradition. How did it begin, and what meanings and memories does it evoke for the community?

Representation
Graphic Unrepresented

Who represents Palestinians in Jerusalem?

Short Take Jerusalem’s Municipal Elections Produce a Council Dominated by Religious Jews; the City’s Palestinians Stay Home

While not surprising, the results point to a darker future in the city and reflect nationwide trends.

Backgrounder Jerusalem: A Closed City

Closure, a “temporary” measure introduced in 1991, is the system that controls Palestinians’ movement and blocks millions from accessing Jerusalem.

Graphic The Unreachable City

How many millions of Palestinians in historic Palestine and beyond are unable to enter Jerusalem without Israeli permission?

Video Behind the Wall

Teresa, 22, lives in Ramallah, but she’s never seen nearby Jerusalem due to Israel’s Separation Wall and permit regime. What lies behind the wall?

Photo Album The Armenians of Jerusalem

Armenians have centuries of history in Jerusalem and have made important contributions to the city’s societal and cultural fabric.

Blog Post The Origins of an Iconic Jerusalem Art Form: Armenian Ceramics

We review the book Feast of Ashes, by Sato Moughalian, which chronicles the origins of the Armenian ceramic tradition in Jerusalem, first introduced there by the author’s grandfather, a refugee from the Armenian genocide. 

Blog Post Old City Shopkeepers Hope for Economic Revival This Ramadan

Will Ramadan breathe new life into the Old City’s souk?

Blog Post A Breath of Respite: Impressions of a Local Jerusalemite on the First Day of Ramadan

What was the scene around al-Aqsa Mosque on the first night of Ramadan after months of wartime closures?

Short Take Jerusalem’s Municipal Elections Produce a Council Dominated by Religious Jews; the City’s Palestinians Stay Home

While not surprising, the results point to a darker future in the city and reflect nationwide trends.

Blog Post As War Drags On, Palestinians Face Difficulties Reaching Jerusalem’s Center

Israel’s clampdown on mobility since the war is being challenged by residents, whose lives are upended by the limited access to the city.

Feature Story Islamic Authorities and Community Prepare Warily for Ramadan

As Ramadan approaches, the Waqf Council announces its plans, and Israel sets up new surveillance cameras in holy spaces.

Blog Post No Public Celebrations or Decorations in Jerusalem This Ramadan

As Gaza starves, Jerusalemites can’t imagine a festive Ramadan as usual.

Blog Post The Young Women’s Christian Association of Palestine—A Haven for Life

A welcoming space for women of all ages in Sheikh Jarrah, cherished for more than a century.