Why Didn't Israel Pick Jerusalem as Its Capital?
The history of Israel and its capital cities, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, has been complex and multifaceted. King David established Jerusalem as the capital of ancient Israel over 3,000 years ago, a status it has maintained to this day. However, the modern state of Israel initially chose Tel Aviv as its capital after declaring independence, sparking questions about why Jerusalem was not chosen from the outset.
The Historical Context and Jerusalem’s Significance
Jerusalem holds significant religious and historical importance for three major world religions—Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. This makes it a central figure in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. King David, a biblical figure, made Jerusalem the capital city nearly 3,000 years ago, a status it has retained. However, the origins of Tel Aviv, which did not exist in ancient times, shaped its modern role in Israeli governance.
The Absence of Jerusalem in Early Independence Plans
During the early days of Israeli independence, the temporary capital was Tel Aviv, chosen for strategic reasons. The decision to operate from Tel Aviv temporarily was made to keep the capital separate from Jerusalem. The initial plan was that Jerusalem would retain a separate status to protect it in case of war. Furthermore, a global agreement was made to ensure that Jerusalem would never be attacked due to its significance in all major religions.
The UN Partition Plan and the Rejection of Jerusalem as the Capital
When the Israeli state was declared in 1948, the map agreed upon by the United Nations included Jerusalem as a separate entity, administered by the UN and physically separated from the newly formed Jewish state. This administrative and strategic separation was evident from the UN partition plan, where Jerusalem was designated as a corpus separatum.
Rafi notes in his comment that Jerusalem was under siege and running the country from there would have been impractical. Indeed, the partition plan was ultimately rejected by Arab states that invaded Israel after its declaration of independence. As a result, Jerusalem was divided between Israeli-held areas and Jordanian-held areas in the Old City. Nonetheless, Jerusalem was still considered within Israeli sovereignty.
Jerusalem as the Capital from 1949
The capital of Israel was Jerusalem from the end of the War of Independence in 1949. Despite the partition plan, which saw Jerusalem separated from the Israeli state, the Knesset (Israeli parliament) convened in Jerusalem, even moving there temporarily due to practical reasons. A number of embassies were established in Jerusalem, further solidifying its status as the capital.
The Israeli East Jerusalem Annexation and International Reactions
Following the Six-Day War of 1967, Jerusalem was reunified under Israeli sovereignty. The 1980 Jerusalem Law, which annexed East Jerusalem, officially applied Israeli law and citizenship to all residents, both Arab and Jewish. This move was strongly opposed by the international community, with many embassies moving from Jerusalem to other cities in Israel.
Today, the status of Jerusalem remains a contentious issue, impacting diplomatic relations and the ongoing peace negotiations. The choice of Tel Aviv as an interim capital was strategic, but Jerusalem’s eternal status as Israel’s capital is firmly established, and its importance in religious, historical, and political contexts will continue to shape the future of the region.