Jerusalem 2005

Jerusalem, the holy land , the land of peace, the heart of The Middle East, the heart of the Muslim world, the Jewish world and the Christian world. The capital of the State of Israel and the future capital of the State of Palestine, side by side of the state of Israel. What a city! Basically the whole world, almost, is there. Most people in the world have some sort of a stake in this great city. It is however meant to be under two dominant powers, the Muslims and the Jews. Before 1967, Jerusalem was under the Jordanian power, and then became under the Israeli power who later on annexed it as its capital. There is an Arab population in Jerusalem, Muslims and Christians besides the Jewish people. This city should continue to be open to everyone who wants to visit. I remember when I used to go and eat the knafa at Ja'afer in the old city or when I used to have a delicious piece or two of Riches Pizza and then getting an excellent cup of coffee and Strawberry torte at Max Cafe across the street from the Hamashbir. Having said that, peace will not survive in that area unless the Palestinians are given their share of the city. The Arabs there have the right to have Jerusalem as their capital as Israel does. Both people can administer their respective areas and all people can visit the holy places there. It was in the news that a group of religious Jews tried to go to Al Aqsa mosque area and were confronted by emotional Muslims who felt violated by that visit. The reaction was normal because the Arabs do not have any say in their city and because that part is occupied. If the situation was normal and both the Arabs and the Jews have their share and both rule their areas that situation would not and should not have happened. All religions should be welcomed to visit but not occupy or intimidate the other. If we do not respect the rights of the Jewish, Christians and Muslims people in the holy city, peace will not take place. It's time for all of us to act with civility and not hatred.