The relationship between Israel and the Palestinians is becoming increasingly tense, with the possibility of peace and a two-state solution seeming more distant than ever before.
Jerusalem, being a holy city, holds a great significance for people of different faiths, and it’s especially apparent during religious holidays, particularly in the Old City, which is only minutes away from Christian, Jewish, and Islamic holy sites.
Religion has a profound influence in Jerusalem, as it is closely tied to Israeli and Palestinian nationalism. Religion, politics, and identity are intertwined and fuel each other’s fire. Both sides claim Jerusalem as their capital and venerate its sanctity.
This month, Ramadan, Passover, and Easter have coincided with a growing sense of danger and despair. Two years ago, the heavy-handed policing of Palestinians during Ramadan by Israel was one of the factors that led to a brief yet deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian group whose name stands for the Islamic Resistance Movement, in and around Gaza.