The war has left Gaza in ruins—tens of thousands dead, entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, and a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions. In the West Bank, unprecedented waves of settler violence, military incursions, and mass displacement have uprooted communities and shattered lives. At the same time, the Israeli government’s neglect of the hostages still held in Gaza has deepened public anguish and mistrust. This violence is not random; it is the direct outcome of years of separation, dehumanisation, and a zero-sum game approach that denies the humanity and rights of the other side. In such a moment of devastation, it may seem impossible to imagine a shared future—but precisely now, amid this darkness, we must insist on one. And at the center of any lasting resolution lies Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is not just another “final status” issue to be postponed until all else is resolved. It is the heart of the conflict and the ultimate test of whether Israelis and Palestinians can share space, power, and dignity. Ir Amim’s latest report, Hope from Jerusalem, is essential knowledge for anyone committed to forging a pathway toward shared, secure lives. It offers not only a clear-eyed analysis of the city’s present reality but also a concrete plan for its future. Grounded in decades of work in and on Jerusalem, the report lays out thirteen principles for making the city the capital of two peoples—anchored in equality, self-determination, human rights, and the recognition of deep historical, religious, and cultural ties. This is not a distant dream. It is a pragmatic roadmap, shaped by the lived experience of Jerusalemites, Israeli and Palestinian alike.

For too long, deferring Jerusalem’s political future to some imagined “final stage” of negotiations has been a recipe for entrenching occupation and mistrust. The cost is clear: discriminatory planning and housing policies, systemic neglect of Palestinian neighborhoods, and the erosion of the fragile interdependence that still binds this city together. Today, nearly 40% of Jerusalem’s residents are Palestinians without equal civil or political rights—yet they share with Israeli Jerusalemites labor markets, public spaces, education, and a local identity.

This interdependence is not a weakness; it is our strongest resource. But it will not survive without deliberate protection and investment. The report calls for an open city where both peoples can live autonomously and securely, side by side. It demands the safeguarding of holy sites for all, guarantees of freedom of movement, and governance frameworks—potentially with international participation—to protect rights and maintain stability.

At this critical juncture, the urgency could not be greater. Unilateral measures designed to alter the city’s demographic balance must be halted immediately. Deep socio-economic disparities must be addressed through equitable investment. Palestinian communities must be able to strengthen their institutions without fear, while joint economic, cultural, and educational initiatives must bring coexistence to life.

This is a moment that demands both local courage and international resolve. Governments, civil society, and engaged citizens worldwide must make Jerusalem’s future a priority—not as a symbolic gesture but as a practical, immediate step toward ending the wider conflict. Every eviction, every demolished home, every act of forced displacement pushes peace further away. Every action that enables people to remain in their homes, live with dignity, and claim their rights brings it closer.

Jerusalem can become the place where two peoples prove they can share one city—each secure in their identity and rights, bound not by fear but by mutual recognition. That is the hope from Jerusalem. And if we act now, together, it can become our shared reality.