Occupied East Jerusalem usually refers to the eastern part of Jerusalem that Israel captured in 1967; most of the international community and the UN treat it as occupied Palestinian territory , while Israel considers the city unified under its control.

Quick Scoop

  • What it is: The eastern sector of Jerusalem, including the Old City and major holy sites, whose status is disputed.
  • Why “occupied” is used: The UN and many states say Israel’s control there is military occupation under international law, especially after 1967.
  • Israel’s position: Israel annexed East Jerusalem in 1980 and treats Jerusalem as its capital, though that annexation has not been widely recognized internationally.
  • Palestinian view: Palestinians see East Jerusalem as part of the territory for a future Palestinian state and often describe it as their intended capital.

Why it matters

The phrase is not just geographic; it is political and legal. It reflects one of the core unresolved issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: sovereignty, borders, residency rights, and control of holy places.

In one sentence

If someone says “occupied East Jerusalem,” they generally mean East Jerusalem is territory Israel has controlled since 1967 but which many international bodies say remains occupied, not sovereign Israeli territory.

TL;DR: It is the eastern half of Jerusalem, captured by Israel in 1967, whose status is internationally disputed and commonly described by the UN as occupied Palestinian territory.