Jerusalem: The Spatial Politics of a Divided Metropolis

by Anne B. Shlay, Gillad Rosen

Jerusalem has for centuries been known as the spiritual center for the three largest monotheistic Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Yet Jerusalem’s other-worldly transcendence is far from the daily reality of Jerusalem, a city bombarded by conflict. The battle over who owns and controls Jerusalem is intensely disputed on a global basis. Few cities rival Jerusalem in how its divisions are expressed in the political sphere and in ordinary everyday life.

The Spatial Politics of a Divided Metropolis is about this constellation of competing on-the-ground the endless set of claims, struggles, and debates over the land, neighborhoods, and communities that make up Jerusalem. Spatial politics explain the motivations and organizing around the battle for Jerusalem and illustrate how space is a weapon in the Jerusalem struggle. These are the windows to the world of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Based on ninety interviews, years of fieldwork, and numerous Jerusalem experiences, this book depicts the groups living in Jerusalem, their roles in the conflict, and their connections to Jerusalem's development. Written for students, scholars, and those seeking to demystify the Jerusalem labyrinth, this book shows how religion, ideology, nationalism, and power underlie patterns of urban development, inequality, and conflict.

Genres: Politics

172 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2015

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was great. It simply talks about the ways politics and demographics have shaped Jerusalem, now and historically. It answered so many questions that came to mind (appearances that were confusing) while I was living in Jerusalem. For example I used to walk to work at YMCA through Mamilla and the area of the Sultan's Pool. I never knew why that area looked derelict. I would have loved to know the history while I was there. But now I know. The book gives good history of various neighborhoods (I would have liked even more of that; all the neighborhoods) and also discusses modern issues like the effect demographically and politically of the light rail, and Haredi spread into French Hill, etc. Some of the commentary was simplistic; some obvious and also just without depth ( and therefore I thought leading to simple-minded criticism of Israel). But it gave me a lot of information I didn't have before.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful look at Jerusalem’s demographic and physical complexities, although I wish it had gone into more detail about the debates surrounding major projects like the Light Rail.