"The Temple Mount has come to symbolize a national focal point in which the fate of the whole Jewish sovereignty of the Land of Israel is to be decided." A parallel process has occurred for Muslims over the past 20 years, and the compound has become first and foremost a symbol of nationalism, with the Al-Aqsa mosque coming to define Palestinian identity as Arabs.

Unrest flared in early October throughout the West Bank and Jerusalem, which has experienced tensions during September, largely over the status of the contested holy site of the Temple Mount or Haram al-Sharif.

Since hundreds of olive trees were uprooted to make room for a separation barrier through the Cremisan Valley adjacent to this largely Christian village, Father Aktham Hijazin, Annunciation Parish priest, has been celebrating Mass daily behind red-and-white police tape.

As Israeli students began their second week of classes Sept. 6, thousands of students and teachers from Christian schools converged in front of the Israeli prime minister's office to protest government budget cuts to their schools.Chanting slogans, waving banners and signs, and pounding on metal

For the elders of Iqrit, their biggest regret in life is not having been able to raise their children together.On April 13, they congregated with the younger generations in the old Church of St. Mary for Easter Monday Mass in this destroyed Melkite village perched on a sloping hill in Western Galile

Aid official says Gazans' situation worse than during war

They see signs of resilience, despite immense destruction

Ending a year that saw the papal visit, a war in Gaza and a resumption of violence in Jerusalem, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal's Christmas message condemned all instances of violence.The patriarch was called to Amman unexpectedly on Dec. 18, so his message was read by Auxiliary Bishop William Shoma

Catholic aid workers and clergy are finding that life and coexistence are becoming increasingly difficult in Jerusalem as tensions simmer and violence between Israelis and Palestinians mount with no end in sight.Acts of violence, seemingly one retaliatory measure after another, have occurred since J

Attachments to holy places should not be a cause of bloodshed, hatred or violence.