Whose Holy City?

Last year the Vatican joined with the Palestinians in a strong condemnation of Israel’s hold over all the city of Jerusalem. They issued a communiqué stating that this was “morally and legally unacceptable” (AP Worldstream, Feb. 15, 2000).

How legitimate is the Palestinian claim to Jerusalem? They are Muslim, their holy book being the Koran. The Jews have the Old Testament, Christians both Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Jerusalem is mentioned 660 times in the Old Testament, 151 times in the new. It is not mentioned once in the Koran.