What’s the Capital of Israel? [Why it’s not Tel Aviv]
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Have you ever wondered what the capital of Israel is? It’s an interesting question that often trips up travelers.
Many people incorrectly answer Tel Aviv, since it’s the largest and most modern city in the country, but the real answer is Jerusalem.
After visiting Israel and exploring both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem extensively, I can definitely see why many would think that Tel Aviv seems more like a capital city. In this post, I’ll explore why this happens and how Jerusalem being the actual capital of Israel affects travelers visiting the region.
Is Tel Aviv the Capital of Israel?
No. Although Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, Tel Aviv remains its largest city by population. This bustling metropolis has a vibrant nightlife and plenty of shopping opportunities and many modern features like skyscrapers and a downtown.
Tel Aviv is also viewed as a safer city in Israel because it’s relatively far from any potential conflict zones like the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Occupied Territories, or the ones near its borders.
Plus, the largest airport in Israel, the Ben Gurion Airport, is in Tel Aviv. As a result, most travelers will start their travels in Tel Aviv instead of Jerusalem.
Tel Aviv vs Jerusalem
Tel Aviv is a much more modern city than Jerusalem. You will find skyscrapers and more western looking infrastructure in Tel Aviv than you will find in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is centered around the Temple on the Mount, which has an extensive and historic “Old City” built around it.
For this reason, most of the largest tech companies and big businesses are located in Tel Aviv, resulting in a larger population there as well.
While Tel Aviv is much larger than Jerusalem today, it was natural to choose Jerusalem as the official capital when Israel became a modern state in 1948.
Why is Jerusalem the Capital of Israel?
So why isn’t Tel Aviv the capital? This has to do with both history and culture. Tel Aviv was only founded in 1909 as a modern port city. Jerusalem has ancient roots that are deeply intertwined holy sites for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.
Despite being internationally recognized as the capital city since 1948, many countries have not moved their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem due to political disagreements between Israel and the Palestinian Occupied Territories over who owns certain parts of the city.
In fact, the United States did not recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel until 2017.
As such, a few countries choose not to recognize Jerusalem as the capital. Depending on your nationality or where you are traveling from, you should research where your embassy is before planning your trip.
Why Declaring Jerusalem the Capital of Israel is so Controversial
Today, Jerusalem is a symbol for Jews, Christians, and Muslims around the world due to its religious significance and historical background. This has resulted in a complex political situation that continues to be a point of contention among worldwide governments.
With both Israelis and Palestinians claiming Jerusalem as their own rightful capital, there is ongoing conflict between them over control of its holy sites. The main way this affects travelers is that you will often see historical sites with different regulations.
Similar to crossing a border via car, prepare to have identification and documents ready at all times. You will pass through different territories and borders within a matter of minutes depending on which holy sites you are visiting.
Above all, have a general awareness of which governing body is in control of the region you are in. This may even change depending on which part of the same city you are entering.
So there you have it. Jerusalem is actually considered to be Israel’s capital despite its smaller size compared to other cities like Tel Aviv. All in all, understanding why Jerusalem is the official capital is an interesting and informative journey for travelers.
FAQs
Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel since King David united the Kingdom of Israel in 1000 BC. It was officially declared the capital of the modern State of Israel in 1948.
The US Embassy was officially moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May of 2018.
Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel since 1000 BC when King David united the Kingdom of Israel. Jerusalem would have been the capital city in Jesus’ time.
King David made Jerusalem the capital when he united the Kingdom of Israel in 1000 BC. Jerusalem was declared the modern-day capital when Israel became a modern state in 1948.
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