21st Century Jerusalem:
In 2000, Israel withdrew from Southern Lebanon, and the Second Intifada occurred. Two years later, Israel began construction of the West Bank Barrier. In 2005, "Israels's Unilateral Disengagement Plan" removed the Israelis from the Gaza strip. A number of conflicts from 2007-2010 augmented the tension between Israel and its neighbors, leading to questions regarding its future.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
3/8/11
20th Century Jerusalem:
Secular Zionism is based on ideas by Theodore Herzl's book "The Jewish State," where he argues that the sacredness of Jerusalem doesn't play a role in zionism, suggesting a zionist state in Uganda. In 1899, the First Zionist conference in Switzerland was described by Herzel as having the presence of the "Messiah the Son of David." The rise of European nationalism and Anti-semitism greatly affected the Jews, as they wondered where was the land of the Jews. In World War II, the Ottomans allied themselves with the Germans against Britain and France, and after the British conquered Palestine in 1917, the Balfour Declaration promised the Jews a national homeland. They promised to protect the holy places of all faiths, and Winston Churchill's White Paper of 1922 clarified this Declaration, saying that they support a continuation of a community in Palestine. They partitioned an area to the west of the Jordan for a Jewish settlement.
After the hostility surrounding the Jews prior to WWII, the Peel Plan provided an early "two state" solution, putting the Jewish state in the north, the arab state in the south, and making Jerusalem an "international city." It was approved by the UN in 1947, accepted as a bare minimum by Zionists and rejected by Arabs, leading to violence. The War of Independence in 1948 (Arab-Israeli War) occurred, and the British departed in May. Truce was arranged by the UN in July and they signed an armistice in March of 1949. The Green line was created between Israel and Jordanian held West bank. This establishment of an Israeli state was a "Catastophe" (al-Niqba) led to King Hussein's declaration of Jerusalem as the second capital of Jordan in 1953. The Six Day war in 1967 resulted in Moshe Dayan giving control of the Haram to the Muslims and in the Israeli annexation of the Old city and East Jerusalem (rejected by the UN). The Oslo Accords in 1993 was an agreement between Isreal and the PLO, calling for Israeli withdrawal of the Gaza Strip and West Bank, and the acknowledgement of both groups.
Secular Zionism is based on ideas by Theodore Herzl's book "The Jewish State," where he argues that the sacredness of Jerusalem doesn't play a role in zionism, suggesting a zionist state in Uganda. In 1899, the First Zionist conference in Switzerland was described by Herzel as having the presence of the "Messiah the Son of David." The rise of European nationalism and Anti-semitism greatly affected the Jews, as they wondered where was the land of the Jews. In World War II, the Ottomans allied themselves with the Germans against Britain and France, and after the British conquered Palestine in 1917, the Balfour Declaration promised the Jews a national homeland. They promised to protect the holy places of all faiths, and Winston Churchill's White Paper of 1922 clarified this Declaration, saying that they support a continuation of a community in Palestine. They partitioned an area to the west of the Jordan for a Jewish settlement.
After the hostility surrounding the Jews prior to WWII, the Peel Plan provided an early "two state" solution, putting the Jewish state in the north, the arab state in the south, and making Jerusalem an "international city." It was approved by the UN in 1947, accepted as a bare minimum by Zionists and rejected by Arabs, leading to violence. The War of Independence in 1948 (Arab-Israeli War) occurred, and the British departed in May. Truce was arranged by the UN in July and they signed an armistice in March of 1949. The Green line was created between Israel and Jordanian held West bank. This establishment of an Israeli state was a "Catastophe" (al-Niqba) led to King Hussein's declaration of Jerusalem as the second capital of Jordan in 1953. The Six Day war in 1967 resulted in Moshe Dayan giving control of the Haram to the Muslims and in the Israeli annexation of the Old city and East Jerusalem (rejected by the UN). The Oslo Accords in 1993 was an agreement between Isreal and the PLO, calling for Israeli withdrawal of the Gaza Strip and West Bank, and the acknowledgement of both groups.
3/3/11
Mamluk-Ottoman Jerusalem:
After Saladin conquered the city in 1187, the Mamluk period began. During this time, Jerusalem became a religious center, because it was politically and militarily insignificant. The Haram was developed and a massive construction of schools, hostels, and hospices occurred. The Black Plague that swept Europe and Asia affected Jerusalem from 1351-1353. The architecture that characterizes this period includes alternating red and white or black and white stones, domes, monumental entrances, and Muqarnas, or domes that include geometric patterns. The Al-Madrasa al-Ashrafiyya is an Qur'anic school considered as the "third (Islamic) jewel of Jerusalem," built in 1482.
Nachmanides made an aliyah to Jerusalem in 1267, and he founded the Ramban Synagogue, attracting Jews to follow in his footsteps. He played a role in developing Kabbalah, or Jewish Mysticism, which spiritualized Jerusalem and made the temple a symbol of the path to God. So essentially, Kabbalah made the aliyah a spiritual journey towards God. In 1517, the rising Ottoman empire led by Selim I defeated the Mamluks and took Jerusalem. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566) embarked on a variety of public works projects, repairing aqueducts and pools, rebuilding walls and markets. Jewish refugees are also encouraged to settle in Jerusalem to help restore the city. The holy places of the city were also restored. The western wall was given to the Jews by Suleiman as a place of prayer, and it attracted a myriad of myths that emphasized its sacredness. Early Jewish Zionism was symbolized by the journey back to Jerusalem, or the "Land of their Fathers," where the "Gate of Heaven" and the holiness of the Temple are located.
After Saladin conquered the city in 1187, the Mamluk period began. During this time, Jerusalem became a religious center, because it was politically and militarily insignificant. The Haram was developed and a massive construction of schools, hostels, and hospices occurred. The Black Plague that swept Europe and Asia affected Jerusalem from 1351-1353. The architecture that characterizes this period includes alternating red and white or black and white stones, domes, monumental entrances, and Muqarnas, or domes that include geometric patterns. The Al-Madrasa al-Ashrafiyya is an Qur'anic school considered as the "third (Islamic) jewel of Jerusalem," built in 1482.
Nachmanides made an aliyah to Jerusalem in 1267, and he founded the Ramban Synagogue, attracting Jews to follow in his footsteps. He played a role in developing Kabbalah, or Jewish Mysticism, which spiritualized Jerusalem and made the temple a symbol of the path to God. So essentially, Kabbalah made the aliyah a spiritual journey towards God. In 1517, the rising Ottoman empire led by Selim I defeated the Mamluks and took Jerusalem. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566) embarked on a variety of public works projects, repairing aqueducts and pools, rebuilding walls and markets. Jewish refugees are also encouraged to settle in Jerusalem to help restore the city. The holy places of the city were also restored. The western wall was given to the Jews by Suleiman as a place of prayer, and it attracted a myriad of myths that emphasized its sacredness. Early Jewish Zionism was symbolized by the journey back to Jerusalem, or the "Land of their Fathers," where the "Gate of Heaven" and the holiness of the Temple are located.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
3/1/11
Crusader Jerusalem:
The Crusades were holy conflicts between Roman Catholics and Muslims in attempts to recapture Jerusalem from Islamic rule. Pope Urban II's 1095 speech, which grants indulgence to anyone supporting their cause, and he emphasizes Jerusalem's place as the navel of the earth. This sparked the 1st Crusade from 1095-1099, and in 1099 northern Crusaders led by Godfrey de Bouillon conquered the city in 1099. The next year, Baldwin became the "king of Jerusalem." The 2nd Crusade (1147-1149), preached by St. Bernard in 1146, consisted mostly of French and German Crusaders. On July 4, 1187, Salah ad-Din (Saladin) defeated the Crusaders at Hattin, resulting in their surrender.
The Crusades resulted in the modification of some significant Islamic monuments, as well as the rebuilding of destroyed Byzantine churches. Also, the Knights Templar was founded in 1118, and they resided near the Temple Mount. Their goal was to protect pilgrims from robbers and other dangers that may encounter. A number of Crusades took place after the death of Saladin, resulting in Jerusalem being recaptured by the Crusaders, leading to an eventual Crusader defeat in 1291.
The Crusades were holy conflicts between Roman Catholics and Muslims in attempts to recapture Jerusalem from Islamic rule. Pope Urban II's 1095 speech, which grants indulgence to anyone supporting their cause, and he emphasizes Jerusalem's place as the navel of the earth. This sparked the 1st Crusade from 1095-1099, and in 1099 northern Crusaders led by Godfrey de Bouillon conquered the city in 1099. The next year, Baldwin became the "king of Jerusalem." The 2nd Crusade (1147-1149), preached by St. Bernard in 1146, consisted mostly of French and German Crusaders. On July 4, 1187, Salah ad-Din (Saladin) defeated the Crusaders at Hattin, resulting in their surrender.
The Crusades resulted in the modification of some significant Islamic monuments, as well as the rebuilding of destroyed Byzantine churches. Also, the Knights Templar was founded in 1118, and they resided near the Temple Mount. Their goal was to protect pilgrims from robbers and other dangers that may encounter. A number of Crusades took place after the death of Saladin, resulting in Jerusalem being recaptured by the Crusaders, leading to an eventual Crusader defeat in 1291.
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