Jerusalem is an ancient Middle Eastern city on the watershed between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea at an elevation of 650-840 meters. It is located east of Tel Aviv, south of Ramallah, west of Jericho and north of Bethlehem. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, although this designation and Israel's annexation of the eastern portion of the city are matters of international dispute. It is the holiest city of Judaism, and is of special significance to Christianity and Islam.

With a population of 724,000 , Jerusalem is a heterogeneous city, representing a wide range of national, religious, and socioeconomic groups. The section called the "Old City" is surrounded by walls and consists of four quarters: Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim. The current mayor of Jerusalem is Uri Lupolianski, the first Haredi to ever hold such position.