Tensions escalate in Jerusalem's Old City, as repercussions from the Gaza conflict exacerbate the challenges of Israel's military occupation

In the heart of the Middle East, the Old City of Jerusalem stands as a symbol of religious significance and cultural richness. A small area of approximately one square kilometre, it is home to a diverse population of roughly 30,000 Palestinians and 7,000 Israelis. However, the recent Gaza war has cast a shadow over this historic city, affecting its residents and businesses.

Gouda Al Hasheem, a shop owner selling leather products and souvenirs within sight of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, has experienced a significant slump in business. The Gaza war has led to a growing distrust between Arabs and Israelis, with Israelis rarely buying from Arab stores or frequenting their eateries. Foreign tourists are also staying away, further exacerbating the economic hardship.

Many shops along several of the Old City's alleys are shuttered as a result of the scarcity of buyers and the consequences of the Gaza war. Mansour Qawas, who has a shop near the Old City's Hebron Gate, is also not doing well due to the lack of tourists since the Gaza war erupted.

The Old City has been no stranger to conflict. It has been affected by multiple conflicts, including the first and second Palestinian intifadas in the 1980s and 2000s, and the 2023 Gaza war. The separation wall built by Israel during the second intifada cut off some East Jerusalem neighbourhoods from the rest of the city, impacting the Old City's economy.

Tension between Jews and Muslims in the Old City is palpable, simmering just beneath the surface in what is perhaps the most contested piece of real estate in the decades-old Arab-Israeli conflict. Israeli policemen are routinely deployed at the Old City's gates and throughout the neighbourhood, frequently stopping Palestinian males to check their IDs or deny entry. Palestinians view the presence of security cameras installed by Israeli authorities or Jewish settlers as intrusive and uncomfortable.

Mr Bahaa El Deen, a Palestinian shop owner in the Old City, recounted being beaten by Israeli soldiers in 2023 for opening his shop on the day of the Hamas attack on Israel. Despite receiving generous offers from Israelis to sell his house, he has declined due to fear of reprisals and the desire to maintain relationships with his neighbours and community.

High taxes are also hurting small businesses in the Old City, pushing some into debt and forcing others to close down. The organization that coordinated the attacks on Israel from Gaza in October 2023 was the Hamas terrorist organization. Hamas planned and executed the attacks, with its leadership reportedly based in Doha, Qatar, at that time.

The Old City of Jerusalem is located in the mainly Arab East Jerusalem, which was captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed in 1980. Israeli police are embracing harsher-than-usual, sometimes brutal, tactics towards Palestinians in the Old City.

Despite the challenges, the Old City of Jerusalem continues to stand as a testament to resilience and cultural diversity. Its people, though deeply affected by conflict, remain hopeful for a future of peace and prosperity.