The Battle for Jerusalem

Our trip to the Western Wall drew my attention to the tensions between the various religious groups that are apparent in Jerusalem.  What could be a unique environment that fosters prayer, relaxation and the uncovering of a history millions of years old, is instead a place of polarity, stress and hidden artifacts that remain to be discovered.  This historical city has become a victim of its rich history.  The main religious groups (Judaism, Islam, Christianity) that claim a tie to the land are responsible for the failure to uncover the history that is buried beneath Jerusalem’s grounds.  The city is within the boundaries of a Jewish nation, all the while serving as a home and tourist site for Christians and Muslims.  For any further excavation of the land to take place and hopes of peace to arise, Jerusalem must be declared a city free from the hold of any nation, religion, or ethnicity; and in order for the site’s true history to be discovered, which has been rendered irrelevant due to each religion’s fear of the land’s archeological history failing to substantiate their ties to the land, the various sides of this seemingly endless conflict must agree upon a means to unlocking the bountiful knowledge that is waiting to be found.

In the current situation, in which Jews, Muslims and Christians live and pray side by side, tension is too high.  Although the notion is pleasing, optimistic and cosmopolitan, the setup fails to accommodate a progressive society.  With regards to further legitimizing the stories and accounts that are written in the Torah, Bible, and Quran, the process to do so is at a standstill.  Furthermore, the lack of respect that each religion has for the others is discouraging and makes for a less-than-enjoyable experience in the Holy city.  While a visit to Jerusalem is interesting and emotionally rewarding, it is also at times uncomfortable and difficult to understand the intolerance that is displayed throughout the city.