Jerusalem's Holy Sites
Israeli Viewpoint Israel claims Jerusalem as its capital. Israel also claims control over a hill in the city of Jerusalem, which they call the Temple Mount. The spot contains the ruins of Judaism's holiest temple. Israelis have offered to turn over control of East Jerusalem to the Palestinians, but not total control of the city, or control of the Temple Mount.
"Jerusalem should be Jewish. Maybe the holy sites should be under UN supervision. It's a nice idea. People shouldn't own holy places. Perhaps it's not up to us to decide. Maybe it's not ours to hold it. Maybe it's God's." -Michal Tal-El, 16, Jerusalem
"I'm not sure who the authority should be—some sort of joint authority between Israel and Palestinians? Everyone should have access to the sites." - Benjamin Weiman-Kelman, 17, Jerusalem
"It's a bit of a hard question. I don't have a problem with Palestinian authorities at the holy sites. I think they have the same right to pray there as we do. I don't know who has the right of authority over those sites. Maybe police from both sides." - Jonathan Gozlan, 16, Jerusalem
Palestinian Viewpoint The Palestinians also claim Jerusalem. They want East Jerusalem to be the capital of an independent Palestinian country. Palestinians also claim the rights to the hill that Jews call Temple Mount, which Muslims call the Noble Sanctuary. It is in Jerusalem's Old City, which was under Palestinian control until the 1967 war. In addition, two Islamic holy sites sit on top of the hill.
"East Jerusalem and the holy sites should be under Palestinian control. It's our capital. But everyone, Muslims, Christians, and Jews, should have the right to pray at their holy sites." -Nour Asbah, 14, West Bank
"We believe Jerusalem is a holy city for all three religions. It's our capital and was occupied by the Israelis. We should have the right to have Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian country, but everyone in the world should have the right to come and pray in their holy places." - Saed Obiad, 16, West Bank
"I don't know if the Jewish temple really existed and was destroyed, but in history we know that Palestine is for the Arabs. We want the holy sites and East Jerusalem to be under Palestinian control. If the Jews want to pray at the Western Wall, they should have access, but I don't believe there is evidence that the temple existed." -Amjad Rafidi, 16, Al Bireh, West Bank
How do you think the holy site conflict should be settled?