Jerusalem Notebook

Rediscover Jerusalem through a Palestinian lens.
Forcible Home Expulsions Police Forcibly Close and Seize Musrara Café near Damascus Gate

Israeli police shut down another popular Palestinian gathering space.

A Day of Grace: The Samrin Family Harvests Their Olives in Silwan

An oft-targeted family gets a day of respite.

Spiritual and Religious Life Israel Violates French Church Sovereignty and Diplomatic Laws and Norms in Jerusalem, Angering France

A diplomatic dustup

Blog Posts

Israel Seeks to Overturn Long-Established Practice Regarding the Operation of Foreign Diplomatic Missions in East Jerusalem

Israel is tightening the screws on foreign diplomats in contravention of long-standing practice.

A Symbol of Palestinian Identity, Palestinian Heritage Museum Faces Difficulties Reopening

After facing various challenges, Jerusalem’s renowned Palestinian Heritage Museum is trying to reopen its doors.

Jerusalem Hotel: A Journey into History, Heritage, and Arabic Poetry Just Steps from Damascus Gate

From 19th-century family home to iconic Jerusalem hotel

What Is Jerusalem? Perspective: Once the Capital of the Arab World, Jerusalem Has Become an Isolated and Besieged City

For Palestinian Jerusalemites, the Oslo Accords had the disastrous effect of severing the city from the rest of the West Bank.

On October 7, Palestinian Jerusalemites Reflect about the Year That Was and Its Impact

A year like no other

The West Side Story An “Ecumenical” Friendship in Mandate Palestine, Ruptured by Politics

A fascinating biographical account of an intimate interfaith friendship among five young adults in Mandate Palestine. A book review.

Who Are the Palestinians of Jerusalem? Lessons of Our Elders: What They Lost When They Lost Jerusalem

What do Jerusalemites who were forced to leave their homes in 1948 tell their descendants about the place they lost?

The Unusual Origins of an Iconic East Jerusalem Hotel

A Palestinian “Pasha’s Palace” became a haven for traumatized evangelical Christians who served the community for decades and founded a storied hotel.