June 27, 1967
A committee led by Gen. Rehavam Ze’evi proposes new borders for the city of Jerusalem, fully under Israeli control after the Six-Day War earlier in June. The Knesset approves the Committee Plan, which adds roughly 70 square kilometers to the Jerusalem municipality, including the Old City and slivers of the municipalities of Bethlehem and Beit Jala. The expanded city is referred to as “unified Jerusalem.”
From Israel’s War of Independence until the June 1967 war, Jerusalem was divided in two: West Jerusalem was under Israeli control and covered about 38 square kilometers, and East Jerusalem was under Jordanian control and covered about 6 square kilometers, including the Old City. During the Six-Day War, Israel captured all land held by Jordan west of the Jordan River.
After a census, the Palestinians living in the expanded, unified Jerusalem receive permanent residency with the option to become Israeli citizens. Most refuse the offer of citizenship.
Under Jordanian rule, the holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem were inaccessible to Israelis and Jews. Under Israeli rule, the holy sites of Judaism, Christianity and Islam are open to all.
