Jerusalem has a long and complex history, with various groups laying claim to the city over the centuries. Before Israel, Jerusalem was owned and controlled by a number of different powers, including the Canaanites, Israelites, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, and Ottomans.

One of the earliest known inhabitants of Jerusalem were the Canaanites, who settled in the region around 3000 BCE. The Israelites, under the leadership of King David, captured the city from the Jebusites around 1000 BCE and established it as the capital of the Kingdom of Israel.

Throughout its history, Jerusalem has been conquered and ruled by various empires, including the Babylonians, Persians, and Greeks. The Romans took control of the city in 63 BCE and it remained under their rule until the Arab conquest in 638 CE.

During the Crusades, Jerusalem was held by European Christian forces for nearly 200 years before falling to the Mamluks in 1291. The Ottoman Empire then took control of the city in 1517 and held it until the end of World War I.

After World War I, the British Mandate of Palestine was established and Jerusalem came under British control. In 1948, the State of Israel was established and Jerusalem was divided between Israel and Jordan. In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel captured East Jerusalem and reunified the city under its control.

Today, Jerusalem remains a city of great significance to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, with all three religions claiming historical and religious ties to the city. The status of Jerusalem is a contentious issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides claiming it as their capital.

For more information on the history of Jerusalem, you can visit the following websites:

History.com - Jerusalem

Britannica - Jerusalem

Sign Up