"The most holy spot [al-quds] on earth is Syria; the most holy spot in Syria is Palestine; the most holy spot in Palestine is Jerusalem [Bayt al-maqdis]; the most holy spot in Jerusalem is the Mountain; the most holy spot in Jerusalem is the place of worship [al-masjid], and the most holy spot in the place of worship is the Dome" - Thawr ibn Yazid, circa 770

In the campaign leading up to the election of Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate frequently discussed the importance of moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. For many conservative Christian Americans and Israelis, this was tantamount to the United States agreeing to Jewish control over Jerusalem. As it stands now, the US has a consulate in Jerusalem, yet no country houses their embassy in Jerusalem due to the conflicting claims of the Israelis and Palestinians. The political issue is just one more reminder of how important Jerusalem is as both a secular and religious flashpoint.

One of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem is a holy and special city to the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Throughout its more than 6,000 year history, Jerusalem has been a center of contention, from conflicting clans to warring states. In addition to its religious significance, Jerusalem's strategic location has also made the city desirable throughout history.