Hananya Naftali
Nov 7, 2026
Jerusalem's Status
The Short Answer
Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Israel's parliament, Supreme Court and the offices of its prime minister and president are all there. Israel reunited the city in 1967 after nineteen years of Jordanian rule. Palestinian leaders claim East Jerusalem as a future capital, but the whole city is governed by Israel.
Three Thousand Years as the Jewish Capital
King David made Jerusalem his capital about three thousand years ago, and his son Solomon built the First Temple there. Jerusalem has never been the capital of any other nation, even when it was ruled by foreign empires.
From 1948 to 1967 Jordan occupied the eastern part of the city, expelled its Jews and barred Jews from the Western Wall. Israel reunited Jerusalem in the Six Day War and opened its holy sites to all faiths. Read more: Temple Mount and Al Aqsa
Who Recognizes Jerusalem
The United States recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017 and moved its embassy there in 2018. Several other countries have followed, including Guatemala, Honduras and Kosovo, while many still keep embassies in the Tel Aviv area.
Key Facts
Jerusalem is the seat of Israel's government, parliament and Supreme Court.
Jordan ruled East Jerusalem from 1948 to 1967 and barred Jews from their holy sites.
The US embassy moved to Jerusalem in 2018.
Jerusalem has been the Jewish capital since the time of King David.