Meaning: Yitzhak Rabin, a prominent Israeli statesman, made the statement "Jerusalem is united, will never be divided again" during his tenure as Prime Minister of Israel. This statement reflects the deeply rooted and complex historical, political, and religious significance of Jerusalem, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rabin's declaration encapsulates the Israeli perspective on the status of Jerusalem as the eternal and undivided capital of Israel. To fully understand the significance of this statement, it is essential to explore the historical and geopolitical context surrounding the city of Jerusalem and the various perspectives on its status.

Jerusalem holds profound religious significance for three major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. For Jews, it is revered as the site of the ancient Temple and the eternal capital of the Jewish people. For Christians, it holds religious importance as the place of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. In Islam, Jerusalem is the third holiest city after Mecca and Medina, and it is believed to be the site from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. These religious connections have contributed to the city's status as a focal point of contention and reverence for believers of these faiths.

In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Jerusalem has been a central point of contention. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Jerusalem was divided, with the eastern part of the city being occupied by Jordan and the western part by Israel. The 1967 Six-Day War resulted in Israel's capture of East Jerusalem, including the Old City, which holds significant religious sites such as the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock. This event marked a pivotal moment in the city's history and has since shaped the competing claims to Jerusalem's sovereignty.

Rabin's statement reflects the Israeli position on Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the Jewish state. It aligns with the Israeli government's stance that the city should remain undivided and under Israeli sovereignty. This position has been enshrined in Israeli law, with the passage of the Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capital of Israel in 1980, which declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and affirmed its unity. From the Israeli perspective, any suggestion of dividing Jerusalem is viewed as a threat to the historical and religious significance of the city and as a challenge to Israel's sovereignty.

However, it is important to note that Rabin's statement and the Israeli position on Jerusalem are not universally accepted. The international community, including the United Nations, has not recognized Israel's sovereignty over East Jerusalem and considers it occupied territory. The status of Jerusalem remains one of the most contentious issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the Palestinians aspiring to establish East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent Palestinian state.

From the Palestinian perspective, Rabin's declaration represents a rejection of their aspirations for East Jerusalem and a denial of their historical and cultural ties to the city. Palestinians view East Jerusalem as an integral part of their future state and consider any Israeli efforts to assert control over the entire city as an obstacle to the realization of their national aspirations. The competing claims to Jerusalem have remained a major obstacle in the peace process, leading to ongoing negotiations and diplomatic challenges.

In conclusion, Yitzhak Rabin's statement "Jerusalem is united, will never be divided again" encapsulates the deeply rooted historical, religious, and political significance of Jerusalem. It reflects the Israeli perspective on the city's status as the eternal and undivided capital of Israel. However, this position is contested by the Palestinians and the international community, leading to ongoing complexity and challenges in the quest for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Jerusalem remains a symbol of deep-seated divisions and aspirations, embodying the complexities of history, faith, and geopolitics in the Middle East.