Palestine 101 — The Claim On Jerusalem
Jerusalem: A Tapestry of Control and Religion
Jerusalem, located at the crossroads of three continents and considered holy by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, is the most fought-over city in world history. This article traces its control through millennia to answer, “Who controlled Jerusalem the longest?”. Answering this question may base claims to modern era Jerusalem — claimed mainly by Israel (which Jerusalem is it’s official capital) and Palestinians (who want to base their capital in Jerusalem).
Jerusalem, in addition to its religious importance — has had a tumultuous history spanning over 3,000 years. From ancient kingdoms to modern-day politics, the city has been controlled by various powers and empires.
Jerusalem: The Most Fought Over City In History
According to historian Eric Cline (Jerusalem Besieged: From Ancient Canaan to Modern Israel), Jerusalem has been besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured or recaptured 44 times. Its complex history is a testament to its significance and contested status.
The earliest evidence of a settlement near present-day Jerusalem dates to around 4000 BCE, with the first written record from about 2000 BCE during Egypt’s Middle Kingdom. The city’s name, derived from “Rusalimum,” hints at ancient roots in the Canaanite god Shalim.
From 1550 to 1200 BCE, the city was likely under Egypt’s New Kingdom, followed by a “dark ages” period until 850 BCE when Israelites took control.
King David, around 1000 BCE, established Jerusalem as the capital of the Kingdom of Judah, which lasted until the Babylonian conquest in 586 BCE.
The Babylonians controlled Jerusalem briefly before the Achaemenid Persian Empire took over in 539 BCE, ushering in a period where Jews returned and rebuilt the temple. Alexander the Great captured the city in 332 BCE, marking the start of Greek influence, which lasted until the Maccabean revolt reestablished Jewish control in 167 BCE.
Rome’s dominance began in 63 BCE, spanning over 600 years, despite several Jewish revolts, including the destruction of Jerusalem and its Second Temple in 70 CE. The city’s official religion shifted from Judaism to Paganism and later Christianity, especially after Emperor Constantine’s conversion and the construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 326 CE.
The Sassanid Empire briefly controlled Jerusalem from 614 to 629 CE, with a failed Jewish attempt to build a third temple. In 636 CE, Caliph Umar conquered Jerusalem, initiating a long period of Muslim control under various dynasties, including the Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, and Fatimid.
Christian crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099, establishing the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which lasted until Saladin’s conquest in 1187. Muslim rule resumed under the Ayyubid Sultanate, followed by the Mamluk Sultanate in 1260, and then the Ottoman Empire from 1516 to 1917.
The British Mandate took over post-World War I until 1948, followed by joint Israeli-Jordanian control, and finally, Israeli control since 1967, though this remains disputed by Palestine.
Jerusalem: Timeline
Throughout its history, Jerusalem has been controlled by diverse powers. The Romans led with 676 years, followed by the Kingdom of Judah (414 years), and the Ottoman Empire (401 years). Religiously, Islam dominated for 1283 years, Judaism for 1197 years, and Christianity for 410 years.
So Who has The Strongest Claim on Jerusalem?
This history underscores Jerusalem’s complex, multi-religious heritage, suggesting that no single culture or religion can claim exclusive rights. A future of joint control, potentially as part of a two-state solution, could honor its diverse past and foster peace.
