There NEVER was an Arab country of Palestine. Jerusalem was NEVER the capital of any Arab or Muslim entity. At the time of Muhammad's death, there was not a single mosque in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible, not once in the Koran. Muslims pray facing Mecca. It is Muslim practice to take over, desecrate and destroy the holy sites of other religions-Jews, Christians, Bhuddists, Hindus... The Muslims build mosques on top of the holy sites of other religions to signify that their religion is superior to all others. Muslims did this on the Temple Mount. During the time Jordan controlled Jerusalem from 1948-1967, no foreign Arab leaders visited Jerusalem. Jordanian radio broadcast Friday prayers not from Al-Aqsa Mosque, but from a mosque in Amman. Jordan destroyed 58 synagogues in Jerusalem. Jordan's army desecrated the 2,500 year old Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives. Jordan used Jewish tombstones for pavement and latrines. 13th Century Arab Muslim biographer Yakut, noted: "Mecca is holy to Muslims; Jerusalem is holy to the Jews."

Saying we would allow supervision in jerusalem if we are allowed to supervise Vatican and Mecca is very very dangerous. I know that there is no one willing to take up that offer, but let's suppose there were. I would not give up one inch of Jerusalem for the whole of Mecca and Vatican. So Zvi Hendel should choose his words more carefully, and to compare Jerusalem to any of them is impossible.

Jerusalem is not for sale. Jerusalem is, was, & will always be the undivided capital of Israel. These "thinkers" must be smoking something strange to come up with a stupid idea like this. Palestine is Jordan & Jordan is Palestine. Send the Palestinians home to Jordan.

For the first time in 2000 years, ALL religions have full and open access to their Holy sites: Muslims to Islamic; Christians to the numerous Christian sites; and Jews to their Holy sites. It was not long ago that a Jew would be executed for even attempting to pray at the Western Wall (up to 1967). This is nothing more than a sham attempt by a team of self-hating Jews and their handlers to return to that age. Whether under the rule of the Vatican - controlled by the Crusaders and their proxies, or by Muslims under the control of the Ottoman Turks or the Mufti of Jerusalem, it was a death sentence for Jews in the Holy City. Now that the city is free to all, these idiots want to proceed to the past again. We have seen what the Palestinians do to Holy sites: Joseph's Tomb damaged; the Old Synagogue of Jericho destroyed. Why not just suggest turning over the Holy sites to Al Qaeda or the Nazis - same difference,

BULLETIN: Usama bin Laden has come out of hiding to make the Jews of Israel an "offer they can't refuse." In exchange for full terrorist control of the Holy Mount, Al Qaeda will turn the cities of Mecca and Medina over to IDF control. Details of the exchange offer are to be forthcoming!

Israel's most famous king, king David founded Jerusalem. Reigious Jews pray three times a day in the direction of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is mentioned constantly in prayers. Passover Seder ends with: "Next year in Jerusalem!" And at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. Jerusalem is mentioned in the blessings at the end of meals. During Jewish wedding ceremonies, the groom breaks a glass as a sign of mourning of the destruction of the two Temples, accompanied by Psalm 137: "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget her skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy." During the First and Second Temple periods, the Temple was the central focus of Jewish life. The First Temple was built by King David's son, King Solomon. 2 Chronicles 2:4:"Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the L-RD my G-d, dedicating it to Him, to burn fragrant incense before Him and to set out the showbread continually...on sabbaths and on new moons and on the appointed feasts of the L-RD our G-d, this being required forever in Israel." The great, the mighty and the awesome G-D of the universe returned Jewish Holy Land and holy places to the Jews in the 1967 Six Day War. The response of Israeli leaders was shocking. They gave control of Judaism's holiest site, the Temple Mount to Muslims. There are no words to describe this terrible offense - this terrible betrayal of the Ruler of the universe, the Holy One of Israel. Control of Jewish land and the HOLIEST site on earth, the Temple Mount, has been given by Israel's leaders to the enemies of Israel. Bringing down upon Jews ever increasing terror, death, destruction and war.

Yerushalaim is jewish and shall be jewish for ever. We know that in the areas near the holy "ir" there are important christian/muslim places that had never been touched by the IDF. The best guaranteed protection for the holy places including the old city is the israeli, because it has been proven, no damage to anthing. But if we are talking to give holy places to international, ok first is yerushalaim then lets say, natzeret, yericho, bethlehem, hebron. till no state is there.

and to go there, leave NY for us the American. From u r copy and paste on this site, u must love this Israel, then GO THERE. and leave NY, that is one raciest person in NY

I know its hard for us Jews to swallow, but we do have to see that sooner or later, Israel will have to give the Palestinians their Eastern Sector and the Muslim and Christian part of the Old City. The Palestinians are entitled to it, as we're entitled to the West Jerusalem and our Jewish parts of the Old City. All the signs are in the making, its just a matter of time before its done. We can either have it through negotiatians with the PA, have it administred by an International Group, or have a solution IMPOSED on us by America. Either way, it's going to happen. So get used to the idea.

I don't see the significance of Jerusalem being the capital of any arab or muslim entity, which many of you keep mentioning here over and over. What does that prove? Jerusalem is the third holiest place for the Muslims around the world, not to mention us christian Palestinians who see Jerusalem as the holiest place for us in the world, so there is no exclusive right for the jews concerning the city. The Palestinian state which should be declared with Jerusalem as its capital is neither a Pan-Arab state, nor an exclusively Muslim state, and Jerusalem is the capital of the Palestinian nation, and I do not see any contradiction with it never being a capital! Palestine was always part of a larger entity or empire for the last 3000 years, and served always as a spiritual center and administration center for the surrounding area. Mecca was also never a capital of any entity, so does that make it right to occupy mecca? Grow up a bit people and look at things like they are, not the way you want them to be. There will be no solution to this conflict without giving East Jerusalem at least to its rightful owners, the Palestinians, otherwise, keep on living in fear till the end of time. (not your screwed version of end of time Linda).

Mecca is Holy to Muslims only! Vatican is Holy to Christians only! Jerusalem is Holy to all of the above plus Jews! So just because Mecca is exclusive to Muslims and Vatican is exclusive to Christians, that does not automatically make Jerusalem, the only Holy city to Jews an exclusive city for them! Maybe its not fair but it is what it is and history cannot be re-written not by Arab and not by Hebrews or Christians! Jerusalem must be neutral and no one religion or nation should have exclusivity over it period!

to have no respect for ourselves and our convictions then we do not deserve a state or a capital. I'm glad the Israeli politicians said to hell with this idea. It's crap and we all know it. This is the same kind of discrimination as the MDA deal (on a much larger scale of course)where we had to accept that "crystal" , while Muslim and Christian countries were allowed to retain their religious symbols. As Rabbi Hillel said "If I am not for myself, who is for me?"

The peace process of war and destruction. Muslim mobs destroyed Gaza Jews' synagogues where G-D was honored and exalted. Hamas flags flew from synagogue roofs as synagogues burned. Joseph is the beloved Bible hero of Jews and Christians. Muslims murdered IDF soldiers at Joseph's Tomb. Muslim mobs burned Jewish prayer books that gave praise and glory to the One great G-D, and destroyed the Tomb. In the Islamic invasion and filthy desecration of Jesus Christ' birthplace, Church of Nativity, BIBLES WERE TORN UP FOR TOILET PAPER. It was an act against G-D. Inscribed in those Bibles are the laws G-D gave to Moses. Some of the laws - Exodus 20: "You shall have no other gods before Me" "You shall not make for yourself an idol" "You shall not murder" "You shall not commit adultery" "You shall not steal" "You shall not bear false witness" "You shall not covet" Exodus 21:16 "He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death" JERUSALEM is MENTIONED OVER 800 TIMES in the BIBLE, not once in the Koran. G-D designated the Temple Mount to the Jews for His worship and prayer only. Muslims on the Temple Mount repeatedly engage in massive rock throwing at Jews, turning the HOLIEST place on earth into a common place of violence! Muslims have perpetrated massive desecration and destruction at Judaism's HOLIEST site, the Temple Mount. The OFFENSE to G-D is ENORMOUS! The Temple Mount must be returned to its Jewish owners immediately!

In the UN Mandate in 1947, Jerusalem was intended to be a Holy city. On Israel's Day of Independence, it was the Arabs, as always, that attacked in the hopes of destroying the State - a move they have yet to give up on. It was the Muslims that split the city into two sections - in complete rejection of the Mandate. Had they not attacked, Jerusalme today would be an "international" city under UN control. You have no one to blame but yourselves. For the first time in 2000 years - all faiths have free access - thatnks to the Jews!

it is obvious that you are one of the very few commentators who really love the jewish nation, care for it and bringing facts "on the table". Thank you again!

Delusion at its height. This is why the Israeli public must not only read, but must consume the contents of Dr. Kenneth Levin's profound study, "The Oslo Syndrome: Delsusions of a People Under Siege". It is not a coincidence that this study by the Jerusalem Institute was started in 1993, at the same time that Israel became infected by Oslo. It is at the time of Oslo that appeasement, and the delusions imbibed by the left to deal with their genocidal enemies became heightened. The antidote to this disease should be found by Dr. Yitzhak Klein from the Israel Policy Center. He urgently needs to author a scathing response to these insane recommendations. His other policy papers can be found at - www.merkazmedini.org and at NATIV online.

Abdullah, I generally agree with you, but your argument is problematic. First, Jerusalem is holy to Christians and Muslims BECAUSE it is holy to Jews. Historically speaking, Christianity and Islam are daughter religions of Judaism. Second, are you saying that any time two religions claim a spot, they must share it? In that case, Hebron must also be shared because it is home to the Cave of the Patriarchs/Ibrahimi Mosque. In a similar vein, how would you propose Muslims and Hindus share the site of the razed Babri Mosque in India? Third, Jerusalem served as the ancient political capital of the Judeans. Jerusalem might have been an important town to the Arabs, but there is no parallel claim.

NEVER EVER will a goy control the Kotel again. I'd give the Palestinians full authority over Muslim holy sites (not some international busybodies) but our holy sites are not to be touched again, at ANY cost!

You can visit the temple mount any time you want. If I were to be allowed into Saudi arabia and by some miracle get to mecca and I was found to be be jewish i would be dead. I don't think you have that problem iif you came to Jerusalem.because on any given day there are muslims praying there. Mecca is exclusive, jerusalem you can visit.. In fact, a moslem can pray on the temple mount .I as a Jew can't. the issue isn't that Jerusalem is exclusive. We get back to the Real problem and that is other religions have a big problem with jewish control of Jerusalem. last note jews believe in the original bible , that preceded the koran by about 1800 years we don't believe in rewritten history. .

In Quran, the Holy Land has always denoted the Land of Cannan known in the seventh century as Palestine. Some of the prophets friends, Tamimi, was called the filistini tamimi. Arabs use the word filistini to denote a resident of Palestine. They also denoted the juristiction governing over there as Jund Filistin. Anyway, the word Palestine does not mean anything. Call us Palestinians arabs, cannaanites, phonecians, whatever. The point is that the natives of the Holy Land root back to as far as Cananite time. Most of Arabs in the Holy Land have their roots to immigrations from the Arabian penensiula before and after the arrival of Abraham. If you want to call the cannanites arabs, call them. If you do not, then just know that modern palestinians lebanese are Phonician/cannanites in origin. Just like modern Egypitans have Pharo ancestry. Even though pharo does not exisit, does not mean that current egyptians came from the ocean.

I've read all the talkbacks & I've tried to be neutral, objective & fair. Being neither an Israeli nor a Palestinian might make me neutral but I cannot claim that I know all the particulars of this very complicated crisis. All what I'm sure of, is that the current "ridiculous" situation of terrorism & counter terrorism on the expenses of innocent people's lives should be stopped. Every party is sure they're the right one! As Einstein said before; it's one land that fought upon by two nations! Believe me ME problem is not the only nor the most "urgent" one on the face of the earth! I can claim that good efforts of good people (including Israelis & Palestinians) are much more needed in Africa for example. I do apologize in advance if I'll hurt anyone's feelings though. Honestly speaking, the land, the people, the holy sites and the unity of Jerusalem is better served under an Israeli administration with adequate commitments for the rights of all parties & provided that no demographic changes will be imposed. Palestinians could be well compensated for the occupied part of the City by allowing them to extend Gaza further to the north. Gaza is very congested already & with Palestinian's rate of births, it will be the worst place to live in shortly. And this is even a more urgent problem than having Jerusalem as a capital! I hope that my talkback will give any sense to anyone. Peace & Love for everyone. I love & appreciate both Israelis & Palestinians (Terrorists, murderers are excluded.) Thanks.

I SUPPORT A UNIFIED JERUSALEM UNDER ISRAELISCHE SOVEREIGNTY, WHERE JEWS ENJOY THE RIGHT TO PRAY ON THE TEMPLEMOUNT, THE HOLIEST SITE IN THE JEWIS WORLD.

This does not mean that Mecca is not important to Muslims. Also Jerusalem was mentioned several times in the Quran by being denoted the Holy Land. In deed, in Islam, the holy land is the land of Palestine. Mecca and Medina contain the holiest mosques with the on in Jerusalem. but the Holy Land in Islam in the Palestine. It is called ard al ma7shar wal manshar. Anyway, Jerusalem had various names at various times. Since Quran is valid for all times and all places, it did not restrict a particular name to it. Even arabs called it differnetly at different times. Kudus, and Bait Al maqdes, etc.. In anycase, there is one point to understand here: Jews cannot undo history. They should not stand against more than a billion muslim for no good purpose. This is certainly not wise specially that muslims recognized the Jewish faith. Jews cannot destroyed al aqsa mosque, becuase then it is not any longer before they pay for that severely.

On March 27, 2002, at the Park Hotel in Netanya, terrorists targeted for murder Jews honoring and thanking G-D for His great mercy: Exodus 12:14 “you shall celebrate it as a feast to the L-RD”

You may not know this or want to hear it but besides Jerusalem, Hevron, Tiberias and Safad are all Holy Cities to the Jews exclusively.

Ynet really knows how to make a comment appear absolutely ridiculous!

PA/ISLAMIST WAR AGAINST G-D On March 27, 2002, at the Park Hotel in Netanya, terrorists targeted for murder Jews honoring and thanking G-D for His great mercy: Exodus 12:14 “you shall celebrate it as a feast to the L-RD” Exodus 12:42 “It is a night to be observed for the L-RD for having brought them out from the land of Egypt; this night is for the L-RD, to be observed by all the sons of Israel throughout their generations.” The Islamic homicide bomber murdered 30 Israelis as the Jews obeyed G-D, taking part in the Passover meal. 140 Jewish innocents were injured. The bomb was filled with nails and other metal pieces to maximize the suffering of survivors. On August 19, 2003, terrorists targeted for murder Jews who worship G-D - Giver of all life. The homicide bomber blew himself up on the bus as Jews returned from prayer at the Western wall-the Temple Mount, the holiest place on earth, is Judaism's holiest site. Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible, not once in the Koran. The gruesome attack-the bomb packed with metal pieces, killed 22 Jews and injured 134, many seriously. If Jesus Christ lived today, from the time Jesus was in his mother's womb, he would be targeted for murder by the Islamofascists for being a Jew living in his homeland of Israel. The Palestinian Authority hailed as heroes the terrorists who brutally murdered defenseless 8 months pregnant Jewish Gaza mother, Tali Hatuel, and four little daughters in Gush Katif in May 2004. In defiance of Israel's G-D, and massively breaking G-D's law given to Moses: "YOU SHALL NOT MURDER", the Palestinian Authority teach that murdering Jews is a religious obligation through their mosques, media and public education system. Islamic human bomb murderers of innocent Jews are revered and considered heroes. Broadcast from Gaza mosque, Oct 13 2000, Dr. Ahmad Abu Halabiya, on Palestinian Authority TV (transcribed by Memri): "Have no mercy on the Jews, no matter where they are, in any country. Fight them, wherever you are. Wherever you meet them, kill them. Wherever you are, kill those Jews and those Americans who are like them..."