I see an Israeli soldier and I see safety.

I see torah I see peace

Well said Rachel!

and than to read about a young soldier who has been stabbed by a "palestinian" terrorist, in the capital city of the State of Israel, only reinforces the fact that there is no place in Israel for the illegal Jordanian (and Egyptian) squatters who call themselves "palestinians". Annexation of Judea and Samaria and complete separation, which is the real meaning of the Dutch word apartheid, from hamastan in gaza is the only answer.

society." The muslims burn with envy witnessing the state that the Jews have built from swamps and desert and a capital city that they, the arabs, have no part of, nor any claim to. The world will eventually see through their imaginary historical inventions and lies. The past and future of the "palestinian" is the sand and scorching sun of the Arabian peninsula, not the modern democratic Middle Eastern state where they have long over stayed their welcome. Abbas can rant and rave all he wants that the Kotel belongs to the "palestinians", but in the end he will hang by his neck from a street lamp in Amman, the capital city of "palestine".

Very well written. I've come to the conclusion that periods of peace are only temporary cessations in the condition of human evolution; which is the constant of war. To invoke "Jerusalem" is poetic and grandiose but there has been more war and killing in Syria and Mexico since 2007 than in all of the Israeli/Arab wars since 1948. Jerusalem is relatively sanguine in comparison to places like Michoacan, Aleppo or central Africa. These places today suffer more death, violence and killing than has Jerusalem at anytime since the crusades but we often don't hear about it though Syria is beginning to turn into a big deal... So, I love the imagery but let's break the stereotype. Jerusalem isn't anymore violent or war-prone than any other place, in fact, less so, given the numbers. So long as Jerusalem is known as Jerusalem, rather than say, Al Quds, it will likely garner attention, worry, polemic and poetry, it doesn't quite deserve. Viva Israel's capital city, thank G-d for it's capture in '67, but let's take off the rose colored glasses and understand that war is everywhere, it is who we are as a species, and Jerusalem has no monopoly on the quintessential human endeavor.

Actually, what you described is the complete opposite of Apartheid. If only the rest of the world would realize that.

I think some of the comments are missing the whole point of the article, which is arguing that both peace and war exist in Jerusalem at the same time, which is one of the things that makes the city so unique. Yet people are criticizing it for arguing that Jerusalem is just a city of war. But that's exactly what it's not saying. If you want to learn from others, then you have to actually listen to them and be prepared to hear something you might not have heard before.

You are right, Rachel. Jerusalem belongs to Israel, and her soldiers struggle, everydays, for law and order. That sacred city can not be divided. As a friend of yours, I think Arab quarters must be autonomous, but its dwellers have to accept Israeli citizenship, or, at least, respecting her sovereignty.

Well written - what a way to think about this part of the world. You never think of a place where war is so prominent to also be peaceful... Amazing. Thanks for sharing your views now come home, Your family misses you.

I read talmud I see evil wickedness

Jerusalem is a wonderful city and everybody from all faiths can visit it, admire it and enjoy it. We could make more effort at maintaining and upgrading the Arab sections of the city but it is still a wonderful place and Israel deserves credit for that.

It's the most serious deal of GOD....JERUSALEM. Zechariah 12 v3...On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. ... stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, God bless Israel