31°47′12″N 35°14′40″E / 31.78667°N 35.24444°E / 31.78667; 35.24444
122-750: The Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies (often simply referred to as the BYU Jerusalem Center or BYU–Jerusalem , and locally known as the Mormon University ), situated on Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem , is a satellite campus of Brigham Young University (BYU), the largest religious university in the United States. Owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church),
244-460: A filling station and were used in latrines at a Jordanian Army barracks. The United Nations did not condemn the Jordanian government for these actions. Following the 1967 Six-Day War restoration work was done and the cemetery was reopened for burials. Israel's 1980 unilateral annexation of East Jerusalem was condemned as a violation of international law and ruled null and void by
366-536: A leadership election to replace Netanyahu, defeating Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert and former Finance Minister Meir Sheetrit . Barak's government collapsed in December 2000, several months after the Camp David Summit ended without an agreement, and early elections for Prime Minister were called for February 2001, in which Sharon decisively defeated Barak. In 2002 Netanyahu challenged Sharon in
488-490: A leadership election , but was defeated. During Sharon's tenure, Likud faced an internal split due to Sharon's policy of unilateral disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, which proved extremely divisive within the party. Sharon's Disengagement Plan alienated him from some Likud supporters and fragmented the party. He faced several serious challenges to his authority shortly before his departure. The first
610-745: A secular party by an alliance of several right-wing parties prior to that year's legislative election — Herut , the Liberal Party , the Free Centre , the National List , and the Movement for Greater Israel . Herut had been the nation's largest right-wing party since growing out of the Irgun in 1948. It had already been in coalition with the Liberals since 1965 as Gahal , with Herut as
732-479: A "Demilitarized Palestinian State", though said that Jerusalem must remain the unified capital of Israel. In 2002, during the Second Intifada , Israel's Likud-led government reoccupied Palestinian towns and refugee camps in the West Bank. In 2005 Ariel Sharon defied the recent tendencies of Likud and abandoned the policy of seeking to settle in the West Bank and Gaza. Though re-elected Prime Minister on
854-629: A Palestinian state has to support bolstering Hamas and transferring money to Hamas. This is part of our strategy – to isolate the Palestinians in Gaza from the Palestinians in the West Bank. Benjamin Netanyahu, 2019 Although settlement activity has continued under recent Likud governments, much of the activity outside the major settlement blocs has been to accommodate the Jewish Home ,
976-480: A Palestinian state would not be created. Netanyahu argued, "anyone who goes to create today a Palestinian state and turns over land, is turning over land that will be used as a launching ground for attacks by Islamist extremists against the State of Israel." Some take these statements to mean that Netanyahu and Likud oppose a Palestinian state. After having been criticised by U.S. White House Spokesperson Josh Earnest for
1098-580: A coalition with Yesh Atid, the Jewish Home, and Hatnuah . The government collapsed in December 2014 due to disagreements over the budget and the proposed Nation-state bill , triggering a snap election the next year. Likud won the 2015 election, defeating the Zionist Union , an alliance of Labor and Hatnuah, winning 30 seats to the Zionist Union's 24. The party subsequently formed a government with United Torah Judaism, Shas, Kulanu , and
1220-411: A few more stones." Latter-day Saints often see the center as a way for them to show local Jews what the church is about by example, rather than by proselyting. This is done by the way students and faculty at the center live their lives, as well as through the hiring of both Israeli and Palestinian workers, as an example of what can be done through cooperation. During construction of the center, for example,
1342-565: A government, which included Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas , United Torah Judaism , The Jewish Home , and Labor. Labor left the coalition in 2011 after party leader Ehud Barak left to form his own party, Independence , that remained a member of Netanyahu's government. The next year, Netanyahu was re-elected as Likud leader, defeating Moshe Feiglin. Kadima then joined the coalition in May 2012 before leaving in July. Following Kadima's withdrawal from
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#17327658081061464-499: A learning resource area. This auditorium is surrounded by glass on three sides, providing views of the city. The organ within it is a Scandinavian-made Marcussen organ . The aforementioned library on the same floor as the auditorium contains 10,000-15,000 volumes focusing largely on the Near East. The center's design reflects the architecture of the Near East. It is constructed of cast concrete. Hand-carved Jerusalem limestone adorn
1586-538: A letter to the Knesset in support of the BYU Jerusalem Center. In 1986, the Knesset approved the completion of the center. Students moved into the center on May 8, 1987. The school remained unfinished, but the dormitory levels had been completed. Students had formerly been housed at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel . In 1988, before the center's dedication, a few Jerusalem locals complained that the arrangement of
1708-471: A patio overlooking the Old City. The sixth level houses a cafeteria, classrooms, computer facilities, and a gymnasium, while administrative and faculty offices are located on the seventh level, along with a 250-seat auditorium. The main entry is on the eighth level, which also contains a recital and special events auditorium with organ, lecture rooms, general and reserve libraries, offices, a domed theater, and
1830-418: A piece of Jerusalem land. Israeli officials saw the building of the center on the land as a way of solidifying control over land whose ownership was ambiguous under international law. By August 1984, the church had the land on a 49-year lease, building permits had been obtained, and construction on the building began. The 1980s saw not only Mormons, but many Christian groups vying for representation and space in
1952-546: A platform of no unilateral withdrawals, Sharon carried out the Gaza disengagement plan , withdrawing from the Gaza Strip , as well as four settlements in the northern West Bank. Though losing a referendum among Likud registered voters, Sharon achieved government approval of this policy by firing most of the cabinet members who opposed the plan before the vote. Sharon and the faction who supported his disengagement proposals left
2074-523: A rotation. In 1990 Peres withdrew from the government and led a successful vote of no confidence against it, in what became known as the dirty trick . Shamir formed a new government with right-wing parties, which served until the 1992 election , in which the Likud was defeated by Yitzhak Rabin 's Labor Party . Shamir stepped down as Likud leader after losing the election in March 1993. To replace him,
2196-405: A small orientation course online before entering the center and are interviewed individually. Application requirements state that students must have attended at least two semesters (including the semester immediately preceding the trip abroad) at BYU, BYU-Hawaii, or BYU-Idaho, have a GPA of at least 2.5, and sign an agreement not to proselytize. Married students are not allowed to attend. Members of
2318-600: A speech at Bar-Ilan University (also known as "Bar-Ilan Speech"), at Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies , that was broadcast live in Israel and across parts of the Arab world , on the topic of the Middle East peace process . He endorsed for the first time the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, with several conditions. However, on 16 March 2015, Netanyahu stated in the affirmative, that if he were elected,
2440-537: A spiritual experience by taking them to the sites of biblical events and encouraging them to live their lives in a Christian way. Mount of Olives The Mount of Olives or Mount Olivet ( Hebrew : הַר הַזֵּיתִים , romanized : Har ha-Zeitim ; Arabic : جبل الزيتون , romanized : Jabal az-Zaytūn ; both lit. 'Mount of Olives'; in Arabic also الطور , Aṭ-Ṭūr , 'the Mountain')
2562-471: A vote in the Likud's central committee on a proposal for an early leadership election, which was defeated by 52% to 48%. In November, Sharon's opponents within the Likud joined with the opposition to prevent the appointment of three of his associates to the Cabinet, successfully preventing the appointment of two. On 20 November 2005 Labor announced its withdrawal from Sharon's governing coalition following
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#17327658081062684-650: A written constitution. As of 2014 , the party remains divided between moderates and hard-liners. Likud is considered to be the leading party in the national camp in Israeli politics. The original 1977 party platform stated that " between the Sea and the Jordan there will only be Israeli sovereignty." The 1999 Likud Party platform emphasized the right of settlement: The Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza are
2806-608: Is Azal. This evidence accords with the LXX reading of Zechariah 14:5, which states that the valley will be blocked up as far as Azal. The valley he identified (which is now known as Wady Yasul in Arabic, and Nahal Etzel in Hebrew) lies south of both Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. Many Jews have wanted to be buried on the Mount of Olives since antiquity, based on the Jewish tradition (from
2928-455: Is a major right-wing political party in Israel . It was founded in 1973 by Menachem Begin and Ariel Sharon in an alliance with several right-wing parties. Likud's landslide victory in the 1977 elections was a major turning point in the country's political history, marking the first time the left had lost power. In addition, it was the first time in Israel that a right-wing party received
3050-503: Is a mountain ridge in East Jerusalem , east of and adjacent to Jerusalem's Old City . It is named for the olive groves that once covered its slopes. The southern part of the mount was the Silwan necropolis , attributed to the elite of the ancient Kingdom of Judah . The western slopes of the mount, those facing Jerusalem, have been used as a Jewish cemetery for over 3,000 years and holds approximately 150,000 graves, making it central in
3172-479: Is easily quarried , it is not a suitable strength for construction and features many man-made burial caves . From Biblical times until the present, Jews have been buried on the Mount of Olives. The necropolis on the southern ridge , the location of the modern village of Silwan , was the burial place of Jerusalem's most important citizens in the period of the Biblical kings . The religious ceremony marking
3294-419: Is still under review. Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, in his "National Security" platform, neither endorsed nor ruled out the idea of a Palestinian state. According to Time , "Netanyahu has hinted that he does not oppose the creation of a Palestinian state, but aides say he must move cautiously because his religious-nationalist coalition partners refuse to give away land." On 14 June 2009, Netanyahu delivered
3416-591: Is whether Christian Zionism , based on Christian eschatological expectations, should function in Israel with the help and active aid of government and municipal authorities, such as the assistance being rendered to the Brigham Young University." -- Inter Mountain Jewish News Warnings in the media led to street protests and demonstrations. Orthodox Jews marched on City Hall and to the construction site in 1986. Some even gathered at
3538-471: The 1981 election , the Likud won 48 seats, but formed a narrower government than in 1977. Likud has long been a loose alliance between politicians committed to different and sometimes opposing policy preferences and ideologies. The 1981 election highlighted divisions that existed between the populist wing of Likud, headed by David Levy of Herut, and the Liberal wing, who represented a policy agenda of
3660-563: The 1984 election , less than the Alignment's 44. The Alignment was unable to form a government on its own, leading to the formation of a rotation government , led jointly by the Alignment and Likud. Shimon Peres became the prime minister, with Shamir becoming the foreign minister . In October 1986, the two switched posts. The Likud won the 1988 election , defeating the Alignment by a one-seat Margin. The two parties formed another government , in which Shamir served as prime minister without
3782-416: The 2006 elections and losing 28 seats in the Knesset. Following the 2009 elections , Likud was able to gain 15 seats, and, with Netanyahu back in control of the party, formed a coalition with fellow right-wing parties Yisrael Beiteinu and Shas to take control of the government from Kadima, which earned a plurality, but not a majority. Netanyahu served as prime minister from then until 2021. Likud had been
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3904-647: The European Union and the United States ) and dismantled certain monopolies ( Bezeq and the seaports). Additionally, it has privatized numerous government-owned companies (e.g. El Al and Bank Leumi ), and has moved to privatize land in Israel, which until now has been held symbolically by the state in the name of the Jewish people. Netanyahu was the most ardent free-market Israeli finance minister to date. He argued that Israel's largest labor union ,
4026-703: The Histadrut , has so much power as to be capable of paralyzing the Israeli economy , and claimed that the main causes of unemployment are laziness and excessive benefits to the unemployed. Under Netanyahu, Likud has and is likely to maintain a comparatively fiscally conservative economic stance. However, the party's economic policies vary widely among members, with some Likud MKs supporting more leftist economic positions that are more in line with popular preferences. Likud has historically espoused opposition to Palestinian statehood and support of Israeli settlements in
4148-524: The King's Gardens was blocked up by landslide rubble during Uzziah's earthquake. Israeli geologists Wachs and Levitte identified the remnant of a large landslide on the Mount of Olives directly adjacent to this area. Based on geographic and linguistic evidence, Charles Simon Clermont-Ganneau , a 19th-century linguist and archeologist in Palestine, theorized that the valley directly adjacent to this landslide
4270-572: The Masoretic Text , people will flee through this newly formed valley to a place called Azal (Zechariah 14:5). The Septuagint (LXX) has a different reading of Zechariah 14:5 stating that a valley will be blocked up as it was blocked up during the earthquake during King Uzziah 's reign. Jewish historian Flavius Josephus mentions in Antiquities of the Jews that the valley in the area of
4392-586: The Olivet Discourse , returning after each day to rest ( Luke 21:37, and John 8:1 in the additional section of John's Gospel known as the Pericope Adulterae ), and also coming there on the night of his betrayal. At the foot of the Mount of Olives lies the Garden of Gethsemane . The New Testament tells how Jesus and his disciples sang together – "When they had sung the hymn, they went out to
4514-526: The One Israel coalition led by Ehud Barak . In 2001 Likud's Ariel Sharon , who replaced Netanyahu following the 1999 election, defeated Barak in an election called by the prime minister following his resignation. After the party recorded a convincing win in the 2003 elections , Likud saw a major split in 2005 when Sharon left to form the Kadima party. This resulted in Likud slumping to fourth place in
4636-674: The West Bank and Gaza Strip . However, it has also been the party that carried out the first peace agreements with Arab states. For instance, in 1979, Likud prime minister Menachem Begin signed the Camp David Accords with Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat , which returned the Sinai Peninsula (occupied by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967) to Egypt in return for peace between the two countries. Yitzhak Shamir
4758-647: The Western Wall in a public prayer of mourning because of the center. They also gathered at the hotel at which the BYU President was staying at one point, carrying signs saying: "Conversion is Murder!" and "Mormons, stop your mission now". Despite the intensity of the Haredi opposition, at no point did the protests become physically violent. In late 1985, the Haredim motioned for a no-confidence vote against
4880-547: The election of the left-wing Amir Peretz as its leader. On 21 November 2005, Sharon announced he would be leaving the Likud and forming a new centrist party, Kadima . The new party included both Likud and Labor supporters of unilateral disengagement. Sharon also announced that an election would take place in early 2006. Seven candidates had declared themselves as contenders to replace Sharon as leader: Netanyahu, Uzi Landau , Shaul Mofaz , Yisrael Katz , Silvan Shalom and Moshe Feiglin . Landau and Mofaz later withdrew,
5002-668: The president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles . The dedication ceremony was small, as the church decided not to announce it until a month later. The church did not want a large ceremony to cause concern among those in opposition to the center, who may have seen it as a religious gathering. Thomas S. Monson , then a second counselor in the First Presidency of the LDS Church, and Boyd K. Packer , another member of
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5124-583: The start of a new month was held on the Mount of Olives during the Second Temple period . During the time of the Roman procurator Antonius Felix (52–60 CE), a Jewish prophetic figure known as " the Egyptian " gathered his followers atop the Mount of Olives in preparation for an invasion of the city or in the belief that he would cause the walls of Jerusalem to fall, allowing them to enter (depending on
5246-401: The "divisive rhetoric" of his election campaign, on 19 March 2015, Netanyahu retreated to "I don't want a one-state solution. I want a peaceful, sustainable two-state solution. I have not changed my policy." The Likud Constitution of May 2014 is more vague and ambiguous. Though it contains commitments to the strengthening of Jewish settlement in the West Bank , it does not explicitly rule out
5368-581: The "free exercise of conscience and dissent in a democratic society" was at stake. The center also received support in the U.S., as former president Gerald Ford spoke for the center, as well the United Jewish Council of Utah , who wrote a letter stating that "For over one hundred years, the Jewish and LDS communities have coexisted in the Salt Lake Valley in a spirit of true friendship and harmony. It has been our experience that when
5490-565: The 1999 Likud Party platform rejects a Palestinian state: The Government of Israel flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan river. The Palestinians can run their lives freely in the framework of self-rule, but not as an independent and sovereign state. Thus, for example, in matters of foreign affairs, security, immigration, and ecology, their activity shall be limited in accordance with imperatives of Israel's existence, security and national needs. With Likud back in power, starting in 2009, Israeli foreign policy
5612-561: The 2006 election showed a substantial reduction in the Likud's support, with Kadima achieving a dominant polling lead. In January 2006 Sharon suffered a stroke that left him in a vegetative state, leading to his replacement as Kadima leader by Ehud Olmert, who led Kadima to victory in the election, winning 29 seats. The Likud experienced a substantial loss in support, coming in fourth place and winning only 12, while other right-wing nationalist parties such as Yisrael Beiteinu , which came within 116 votes of overtaking Likud, gained votes. After
5734-438: The Alignment's lead to 12. The party went on to win the 1977 election with 43 seats, finishing 11 seats ahead of the Alignment. Menachem Begin formed a government with the support of the religious parties, consigning the left wing to opposition for the first time since independence. A former leader of the hard-line paramilitary Irgun , Begin signed the 1978 Camp David Accords and the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty . In
5856-1050: The Ascension and its massive 50-metre (160 ft) bell tower , the Russian Orthodox Church of the Ascension with its tall and slender bell tower, the Mosque or Chapel of the Ascension , the Church of the Pater Noster , and the Seven Arches Hotel . On the western slope are the historic Jewish cemetery , the Tomb of the Prophets , the Catholic Church of Dominus Flevit , and the Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene . At
5978-471: The Biblical verse Zechariah 14:4) that when the Messiah comes, the resurrection of the dead will begin there. There are an estimated 150,000 graves on the Mount. Notable rabbis buried on the mount include Chaim ibn Attar and others from the 15th century to the present day. Tradition wrongly identifies Roman-period tombs at the foot of the mount as those of Zechariah and Absalom , and a burial complex of
6100-817: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) near the Tzurim Valley which separates the Mount of Olives from Mount Scopus, initially sparked controversy because of concerns that the Mormons would engage in missionary activities. After the Mormons pledged not to proselytize in Israel, work on the building was allowed to proceed. Likud Likud ( Hebrew : הַלִּיכּוּד , romanized : HaLikud , lit. ' The Consolidation ' ), officially known as Likud – National Liberal Movement ( Hebrew : הַלִּיכּוּד – תנועה לאומית ליברלית , romanized : HaLikud – Tnu'ah Leumit Liberalit ),
6222-459: The Jewish Home. In May 2016, Yisrael Beitenu joined the government, before leaving in December 2018, causing Netanyahu to call a snap election for April 2019 . During the course of the April 2019 Israeli legislative election campaign, Likud facilitated the formation of the Union of Right-Wing Parties between the Jewish Home , Tkuma and Otzma Yehudit by providing a slot on its own electoral list to Jewish Home candidate Eli Ben-Dahan . In
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#17327658081066344-450: The LDS Church believe that Jesus Christ will return in glory in his Second Coming. Howard W. Hunter, who was president of the church's Quorum of the Twelve at the time of the center's construction, pointed out that although there would be no proselytizing from the center, it still served a valuable purpose. One church member quoted him this way: "Elder Hunter said that our mission was not to harvest, probably not even to plant, but to clear away
6466-473: The LDS faith. Ads were purchased in local newspapers, magazines, and on television, and the center had personnel appear on radio talk shows. Government officials in favor of the center also began to speak out, saying that Jerusalem should deny no one a place to worship, Jew, Muslim, or Christian. The Minister for Economic Planning, Gad Yaakobi said that the debate had "already caused considerable damage to Israel", and Former Foreign Minister Abba Eban stated that
6588-399: The Likud leadership. In December of that year, Sa'ar left Likud, along with four other Likud MKs, to form New Hope . Prior to the 2021 Israeli legislative election , Gesher merged into Likud, receiving a slot on its electoral list. 2021 marked the first time that Likud put a Muslim on its slate, choosing Muslim school principal Nail Zoabi for 39th on its slate. Likud also facilitated
6710-464: The Likud party after the disengagement and created the new Kadima party. This new party supported unilateral disengagement from most of the West Bank and the fixing of borders by the Israeli West Bank barrier . The basic premise of the policy was that the Israelis have no viable negotiating partner on the Palestinian side, and since they cannot remain in indefinite occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, Israel should unilaterally withdraw. Netanyahu, who
6832-447: The Lord went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city." The biblical designation Mount of Corruption, or in Hebrew Har HaMashchit ( I Kings 11:7–8), derives from the idol worship there, begun by King Solomon building altars to the gods of his Moabite and Ammonite wives on the southern peak, "on the mountain which is before (east of) Jerusalem" ( 1 Kings 11:7 ), just outside
6954-502: The Mount of Olives because it was 80 meters higher than the Temple Mount and offered a panoramic view of the Temple site. It became a traditional place for lamenting the Temple's destruction, especially on Tisha B'Av . In 1481, an Italian Jewish pilgrim, Meshullam of Volterra , wrote: "And all the community of Jews, every year, goes up to Mount Zion on the day of Tisha B'Av to fast and mourn, and from there they move down along Yoshafat Valley and up to Mount of Olives. From there they see
7076-405: The Mount of Olives near the graves of Etzel members Meir Feinstein and Moshe Barazani , rather than Mount Herzl national cemetery. The armistice agreement signed by Israel and Jordan following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War called for the establishment of a Special Committee to negotiate developments including "free access to the holy sites and cultural institutions and use of the cemetery on
7198-402: The Mount of Olives" Gospel of Matthew 26:30. Jesus ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives according to Acts 1:9–12. Again, the story of Jesus with his disciples on the Mount of Olives can be found in the Gnostic text Pistis Sophia , dated around the 3rd to 4th century CE. Landmarks at the top of the Mount of Olives include the Augusta Victoria Hospital with the Lutheran Church of
7320-403: The Mount of Olives". However, during the 19 years the Jordanian annexation of the West Bank lasted, the committee was not formed. Non-Israeli Christian pilgrims were allowed to visit the mount, but Jews of all countries and most non-Jewish Israeli citizens were barred from entering Jordan and therefore were unable to travel to the area. By the end of 1949, and throughout the Jordanian rule of
7442-413: The Orson Hyde Memorial Gardens, located on the Mount of Olives . The church had donated money to beautify the Jerusalem area, and officials of the Jerusalem government were present at the occasion. It was at this dedication that Kimball announced the church's intent to build a center for BYU students in the city. Negotiations between the church and the Israeli government stretched from 1980 to 1984. The land
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#17327658081067564-440: The Palestinian Arab village of al-Eizariya , identified with the ancient village of Bethany mentioned in the New Testament ; a short distance from the village centre, towards the top of the mount, is the traditional site of Bethphage , marked by a Franciscan church. The construction of the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies , better known locally as the Mormon University, owned and operated by
7686-498: The UN Security Council in UNSC Resolution 478 . Tombs in the Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery have been prone to vandalism, among them the tombs of the Gerrer Rebbe and Menachem Begin . On 6 November 2010, an international watch-committee was set up by Diaspora Jews with the aim of reversing the desecration of the Jewish cemetery. According to one of the founders, the initiative was triggered by witnessing tombstones that were wrecked with "the kind of maliciousness that defies
7808-520: The ability to study them. The center provides a curriculum that focuses on Old and New Testament , ancient and modern Near Eastern studies , and language ( Hebrew and Arabic ). Classroom study is built around field trips that cover the Holy Land, and the program is open only to qualifying full-time undergraduate students at either BYU, BYU-Idaho , or BYU-Hawaii . The center teaches classes in four-month semesters occurring three times per year. Each semester costs $ 10,815. Students are required to take
7930-445: The aftermath of the election, Kulanu merged into Likud. During the September 2019 Israeli legislative election campaign, Likud agreed to a deal with Zehut , whereby the latter party would drop out of the election and endorse Likud in exchange for a ministerial post for its leader, Moshe Feiglin , as well as policy concessions. Prior to the 2020 Israeli legislative election Gideon Sa'ar unsuccessfully challenged Netanyahu for
8052-405: The area from the 2006 Israel-Lebanon Conflict frustrated these plans and raised new concerns about students' safety in the area. School officials deemed the center would remain closed until the conflict was resolved. During this time, some LDS members in Northern Israel were "voluntarily relocated" into the center, away from border missile strikes. BYU officials announced on October 9, 2006, that
8174-401: The building, according to local custom. The use of arches and domes closely models other building of Jerusalem and the gardens throughout the center contain many trees and other plants named in the Bible. The interior contains the arches and cupolas typical of the Near East, and large, windowed pavilions provide wide views of Jerusalem. Over 400 micropiles were drilled into the Mount to secure
8296-461: The center provides a curriculum that focuses on Old and New Testament , ancient and modern Near Eastern studies , and language ( Hebrew and Arabic ). Classroom study is built around field trips that cover the Holy Land, and the program is open to qualifying full-time undergraduate students at either BYU, BYU-Idaho , or BYU-Hawaii . Plans to build a center for students were announced by LDS Church president Spencer W. Kimball in 1979. By 1984,
8418-424: The center was built was then still considered Arab land by many, and many officials saw that its lease would add an image of religious tolerance to their government and increase Israeli control of the land. Because of its prominent location in the Jerusalem skyline, construction was quickly noticed, and this sparked a major controversy in Israel and in the Jewish world as a whole beginning in 1985. The Haredim led
8540-413: The center would be reopening for student academic programs for Winter Semester 2007. The initial program was limited to only 44 students. Currently, over 80 students participate each semester. The center remains open into future academic terms. The center was designed in partnership with Frank Ferguson of FFKR Architects (Salt Lake City) and by Brazilian-Israeli architect David Resnick , who also designed
8662-488: The church "Not Guilty"). A subcommittee of the Knesset requested that the LDS Church issue a formal promise not to proselytize Jews. Some Israelis considered this discriminatory, as no other Christian church had been asked to do this in Jerusalem. Church leaders, however, agreed to comply and sent a formally signed statement soon after. Some Jews in the area were still uneasy and doubted the church's intent, believing that religious belief among Mormons would supersede adherence to
8784-585: The church had obtained a 49-year lease on the land and had begun construction. The center's prominent position on the Jerusalem skyline quickly brought it notice by the Ultra-Orthodox Jews, or Haredim , of Israel. Protests and opposition to the building of the center springing from the Haredim made the issue of building the center a national and even international issue. After several investigative committees of Israel's Knesset reviewed and debated
8906-525: The church hired as many as 300 workers at one time, with about 60% of them being Arab and the other 40% being Jewish. Similar cooperation continues today. The center also strives to meet the goals of the BYU Mission statement, "to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life" as well as in their educational endeavors. The center aims to give students not only an educational experience by experiencing cultures and languages firsthand, but
9028-405: The church wanted for the center, located at the northwestern margin of Mount Olivet, right next to the valley which separates it from Mount Scopus , had been occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War of 1967 and could not be sold under Israeli law. The church decided to obtain a lease on the land instead. Leasing the land also prevented the politically controversial problem of the church owning
9150-577: The church's Quorum of the Twelve, were among those in attendance, as well as BYU President Jeffrey R. Holland . Robert C. Taylor, director of the BYU Travel Study program was in attendance and stated in an interview with The Daily Universe that the dedication of the building was centered solely on the educational aspect of the school, as well as for "whatever purposes [the Lord] has in store" in
9272-496: The city, saying that: "The Mormon organization is one of the most dangerous, and in America they have already struck down many Jews. At the present the Mormons are cautious because of the tremendous opposition their missionary activities would engender, but the moment their new Center is completed, we won’t be able to stop them." -- Kol Ha’Ir and that: "At the heart of the "emotional" and "bitter" controversy brewing in Jerusalem
9394-525: The city. These groups constantly faced opposition from a strong political minority of Orthodox Jews living in the city. Neither major political party in Israel (the Likud and Labor Parties ) could achieve a majority vote in the Knesset without support from the more religious parties. Religious parties used this situation to pass laws in favor of Jewish Orthodoxy in exchange for their support on other issues. At
9516-503: The election, Netanyahu was re-elected Likud Leader in 2007 , defeating Feiglin and World Likud Chairman Danny Danon . Following the opening of several criminal investigations against Olmert, he resigned as prime minister on 21 September 2008 and retired from politics. In the ensuing snap election , held in 2009, Likud won 27 seats, the second-largest number of seats and one seat less than Kadima, now led by Tzipi Livni . However, Likud's allies won enough seats to allow Netanyahu to form
9638-481: The establishment of a Palestinian state. The Likud party claims to support a free market capitalist and liberal agenda, though, in practice, it has mostly adopted mixed economic policies . Under the guidance of finance minister and current party leader Benjamin Netanyahu , Likud pushed through legislation reducing value added tax (VAT), income and corporate taxes significantly, as well as customs duty . Likewise, it has instituted free trade (especially with
9760-543: The fighting continued, one proposed settlement had the center placed within the borders of a proposed Palestinian state (this, however, was not the proposal ultimately agreed upon by the two sides). While closed to students, the center remained open for visitors and concerts. On June 9, 2006, officials announced their intention to reopen the Jerusalem Center for the Fall 2006 semester. However, escalating violence in
9882-750: The foot of the mount, where it meets the Kidron Valley , there is the Garden of Gethsemane with the Church of All Nations . Within the Kidron Valley itself are the Tomb of the Virgin Mary , the Grotto of Gethsemane, and the nearby tomb of the medieval historian Mujir ed-Din , and further south are the tombs of Absalom (Hebrew name: Yad Avshalom), the Hezir priestly family and of Zechariah . At
10004-556: The formation of a joint list between the Religious Zionist Party , Otzma Yehudit and Noam by providing the Religious Zionist Party a slot on the Likud list. On 14 June, after the swearing-in of the 36th government, Ofir Sofer who held the slot, split from the Likud faction and returned to the Religious Zionist Party, decreasing the Likud faction by one to 29 seats in the Knesset. Likud won
10126-464: The former in favour of Netanyahu and the latter to join Kadima. Netanyahu went on to win a leadership election to replace Sharon in December, obtaining 44.4% of the vote. Shalom came in a second with 33%, while far-right candidate Moshe Feiglin achieved 12.4% of the vote. Due to Shalom's performance, Netanyahu guaranteed him the second place on the party's list of Knesset candidates. Polls before
10248-642: The foundation in case of an earthquake. The building also contains, in adherence to Israeli law, bomb shelters capable of holding all faculty, staff, and students in case of emergency. The Jerusalem Center played a role in the research of the Dead Sea Scrolls in cooperation with the Dead Sea Scrolls Foundation of Jerusalem. They developed a comprehensive CD-ROM database of the contents of the Scrolls, enabling researchers worldwide
10370-473: The future. Taylor stated that the church would respect the laws of the land and their commitment not to proselyte. After the onset of the Second Intifada , security for BYU students became increasingly difficult to maintain, and the center closed indefinitely to students in 2000. During the fighting, BYU sources reported that the center's staff remained on location and managed to maintain good relations on both Israeli and Palestinian sides. As negotiations to stop
10492-547: The government and amid disagreements related to the 2013 budget, the Knesset was dissolved in October 2012 and a snap election was called for January 2013. Several days after the election was called on 25 October 2012, Netanyahu and Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman announced that their respective political parties would run together on a single ballot in the election under the name Likud Yisrael Beiteinu . The move led to speculation that Lieberman would eventually seek
10614-509: The growth of LDS visitors to the area. The LDS presence in the area soon grew too large for the leased space to provide adequate space for worship, so the church began looking into building a center for students. In 1972, David B. Galbraith became the director of BYU's program in Jerusalem. He remained in this position until 1987 when the church's First Presidency asked him to organize the BYU Jerusalem Center. On October 24, 1979, church president Spencer W. Kimball visited Jerusalem to dedicate
10736-499: The imagination." The Mount of Olives is first mentioned in connection with David 's flight from Absalom ( II Samuel 15:30): "And David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up." The ascent was probably east of the City of David , near the village of Silwan . The sacred character of the mount is alluded to in the Book of Ezekiel (11:23): "And the glory of
10858-456: The issue, Israeli officials decided to allow the center's construction to continue in 1986. The center opened to students in May 1988 and was dedicated by Howard W. Hunter on May 16, 1989. It did not admit students from 2001 to 2006 due to security issues during the Second Intifada but continued to provide tours for visitors and weekly concerts. The first LDS official to enter Jerusalem was apostle Orson Hyde , who came in 1841 and dedicated
10980-471: The land for the gathering of the people of Israel, the creation of a Jewish state, and the building of an LDS temple at some future time. After his visit, LDS presence in the city was virtually non-existent. By 1971, the city saw enough LDS visitors for the church to lease a building in East Jerusalem for church services. BYU's study abroad program to Jerusalem, which began in 1968, played a key role in
11102-437: The law. One protester stated that "converting the sons of Judah , us, is a basic article of their faith. . . . They regard themselves as sons of Joseph and believe there will be no Second Coming for as long as we and they do not fuse." In addition to the promise not to proselyte, BYU began a public relations campaign to inform the public of their intentions for the center as a school and a gathering place for those already of
11224-559: The leaders of the LDS Church make a commitment of policy, it is a commitment which can be relied upon. The stated commitment of Brigham Young University not to violate the laws of the state of Israel, or its own commitment regarding proselytizing in the state of Israel through the Jerusalem-based Brigham Young facility, is a commitment which we sincerely believe will be honored." The U.S. government also became an intermediary for BYU as 154 members of Congress issued
11346-663: The leadership of Likud after he stated that he "wanted to become the Prime Minister". Several days before the election, Lieberman said the parties would not merge, and that their direct partnership would end after the election. The partnership ultimately lasted until July 2014, when it officially dissolved. In the 2013 elections the Likud–Yisrael Beiteinu alliance won 31 seats, 20 of which were Likud members. The second largest party, Yair Lapid 's Yesh Atid , won 19. Netanyahu continued as prime minister after forming
11468-466: The leading Labor Party. Prime Minister Shimon Peres organized a committee of eight, four for the center and four against, to debate the issue and come up with a solution either for or against the center's presence. Another committee was formed to look into the allegation that the money the church had put into Jerusalem was a bribe to gain Mayor Kolleck's support for the center (the committee found
11590-453: The leading vote-getter in each subsequent election until April 2019 , when Likud tied with Blue and White and September 2019 , when Blue and White won one more seat than the Likud. Likud won the most seats at the 2020 and 2021 elections, but Netanyahu was removed from power in June 2021 by an unprecedented coalition led by Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett . He subsequently returned to
11712-542: The limits of the holy city. This site was known for idol worship throughout the First Temple period, until king of Judah, Josiah , finally destroyed "the high places that were before Jerusalem, to the right of Har HaMashchit..."( II Kings 23:13) An apocalyptic prophecy in the Book of Zechariah states that YHWH will stand on the Mount of Olives and the mountain will split in two, with one half shifting north and one half shifting south ( Zechariah 14:4 ). According to
11834-418: The most seats in the 2022 Israeli legislative election . Defunct Defunct Likud emphasizes national security policy based on a strong military force when threatened with continued enmity against Israel. It has shown reluctance to negotiate with its neighbors whom it believes continue to seek the destruction of the Jewish state, that based on the principle of the party founder Menachem Begin concerning
11956-447: The most votes. After ruling the country for most of the 1980s, the party lost the Knesset election in 1992 . Likud's candidate Benjamin Netanyahu won the vote for prime minister in 1996 and was given the task of forming a government after the 1996 elections following Yitzak Rabin's assassination. Netanyahu's government fell apart after a vote of no confidence, which led to elections being called in 1999 and Likud losing power to
12078-570: The mount has been a site of Christian worship since ancient times and is today a major site of pilgrimage for Catholics , the Eastern Orthodox , and Protestants . The Mount of Olives is one of three peaks of a mountain ridge which runs for 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) just east of the Old City across the Kidron Valley , in this area called the Valley of Josaphat . The peak to its north is Mount Scopus , at 826 metres (2,710 feet), while
12200-554: The nearby campus of the Hebrew University . The center is situated on the western slope of the Mount of Olives, right where it connects to Mount Scopus, overlooking the Kidron Valley and the Old City . The 125,000-square-foot (11,600 m), eight-level structure is set amid 5 acres (2.0 ha) of gardens. The first five levels provide dormitory and apartment space for up to 170 students, each of these apartments having
12322-754: The northern margin of Mount Olivet stand the Mormon University with the Orson Hyde Memorial Garden and the Jewish settlement of Beit Orot , bordering on the Tzurim Valley and the Mitzpe Hamasu'ot ('Beacons Lookout') site, where the Temple Mount Sifting Project facilities are located. What lays north of here belongs to Mount Scopus. On the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives lies
12444-408: The office of prime minister after winning the 2022 election . A member of the party is called a Likudnik ( Hebrew : לִכּוּדְנִיק ) and the party's election symbol is מחל ( Arabic : محل ), reflecting the party's origins as an electoral list of several pre-existing parties, including those who used the symbols מ , ח and ל . The Likud was formed on 13 September 1973 as
12566-458: The opposition, their main concern being that the building would be used not as a school, but as a center for Mormon proselyting efforts in Jerusalem. The Haredim warned of a "spiritual holocaust". The LDS Church, they argued, had no local presence in the population of the Jerusalem area and no historical connections to the land. The group spread warnings through letters, newspapers, and television that Mormon missionaries would convert Jews throughout
12688-536: The party held its first primary election , in which former United Nations Ambassador Benjamin Netanyahu defeated David Levy , Benny Begin and Moshe Katsav , becoming the Leader of the Opposition . In 1995, following the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin , Shimon Peres, his temporary successor, decided to call early elections in order to give the government a mandate to advance the peace process. The election
12810-528: The peak to its south is the Mount of Corruption, at 747 m (2,451 ft). The highest point on the Mount of Olives is At-Tur, at 818 m (2,684 ft). The ridge acts as a watershed , and its eastern side is the beginning of the Judean Desert . The ridge is formed of oceanic sedimentary rock from the Late Cretaceous and contains a soft chalk and a hard flint . While the chalk
12932-608: The preventive policy to any potential attacks on State of Israel. Its suspicion of neighboring Arab nations' intentions, however, has not prevented the party from reaching agreements with Israel's neighbors, such as the 1979 peace treaty with Egypt. Likud's willingness to enter mutually accepted agreements with neighboring countries over the years is related to the formation of other right-wing parties. Like other right-wing parties in Israel, Likud politicians have sometimes criticized particular Supreme Court decisions, but it remains committed to rule of law principles that it hopes to entrench in
13054-636: The realization of Zionist values. Settlement of the land is a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and constitutes an important asset in the defense of the vital interests of the State of Israel. The Likud will continue to strengthen and develop these communities and will prevent their uprooting. Similarly, they claim the Jordan River as the permanent eastern border to Israel and it also claims Jerusalem as belonging to Israel. The 'Peace & Security' chapter of
13176-627: The same period on the upper slope as the Tomb of the Prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi . The Mount of Olives is frequently mentioned in the New Testament as part of the route from Jerusalem to Bethany and the place where Jesus stood when he wept over Jerusalem (an event known as Flevit super illam in Latin ). Jesus is said to have spent time on the mount, teaching and prophesying to his disciples (Matthew 24–25), including
13298-557: The secular bourgeoisie. On 28 August 1983 Begin announced his intention to resign as prime minister . He was replaced by Yitzhak Shamir , a former commander of the Lehi underground, who defeated Deputy Prime Minister David Levy in a leadership election held by Herut's central committee. Shamir was seen as a hard-liner, who opposed the Camp David accords and Israel's withdrawal from Southern Lebanon . The party won 41 seats in
13420-470: The senior partner. Herut remained the senior partner in the new grouping, which was given the name Likud, meaning "Consolidation", as it represented the consolidation of the Israeli right. It worked as a coalition under Herut's leadership until 1988, when the member parties merged into a single party under the Likud name. From its establishment in 1973, Likud enjoyed great support from blue-collar Sephardim . In its first election Likud won 39 seats, reducing
13542-475: The site, some Arab residents uprooted tombstones and plowed the land in the cemeteries, and an estimated 38,000 tombstones were damaged in total. During this period, a road was paved through the cemetery, in the process destroying graves including those of famous persons. In 1964, the Intercontinental Hotel was built at the summit of the mount. Graves were also demolished for parking lots and
13664-543: The time, Teddy Kollek , along with others in attendance at the Orson Hyde Memorial Garden dedication, supported the center because of what the church had done for the city. Kollek specifically stated that "the Mormon church's presence in Jerusalem can do a great deal of work in providing the bridge of understanding between the Arab and Jews...because its members look with sympathy and understanding at both sides." The land on which
13786-504: The time, the conservative Jews, who made up the "religious right" in Israel, or the Haredim , constituted 27% of the population of Jerusalem, and was decidedly against the building of the BYU Jerusalem Center or any other similar Christian structure. Larger parties faced loss of a majority if they stood opposite on this issue. Many Israeli officials, however, such as the Mayor of Jerusalem at
13908-642: The tradition of Jewish cemeteries . Atop the hill lies the Palestinian neighbourhood of At-Tur , a former village that is now part of East Jerusalem . Several key events in the life of Jesus , as related in the Gospels , took place on the Mount of Olives, and in the Acts of the Apostles it is described as the place from which Jesus ascended to heaven . Because of its association with both Jesus and Mary ,
14030-524: The version). This group was crushed by the Romans. While "the Egyptian" managed to flee, many of his followers were killed or taken captive, and the remainder escaped. Roman soldiers from the 10th Legion camped on the mount during the Siege of Jerusalem in the year 70 AD. After the destruction of the Second Temple , Jews celebrated the festival of Sukkot on the Mount of Olives. They made pilgrimages to
14152-522: The whole Temple (the Temple Mount) and there they weep and lament the destruction of this House." In 1189, in the wake of the 1187 Battle of Hattin and reconquest of the land by Saladin , the sultan gave the Mount to two of his commanders. In the mid-1850s, the villagers of Silwan were paid £100 annually by the Jews in an effort to prevent the desecration of graves on the mount. Prime Minister of Israel Menachem Begin asked to be buried on
14274-401: The windows at night looked like a Christian cross . The center purchased blinds and carefully arranged them over the windows so that no such sign would be seen. Members of the LDS Church do not use the symbol of the cross as other Christian denominations do, due to their focus on the resurrection, rather than the death, of Christ. The center was dedicated on May 16, 1989, by Howard W. Hunter ,
14396-411: Was elected as the new leader of Likud after Kadima's creation, and Silvan Shalom , the runner-up, both supported the disengagement plan; however, Netanyahu resigned his ministerial post before the plan was executed. Most current Likud members support the Jewish settlements in the West Bank and oppose Palestinian statehood and the disengagement from Gaza. Anyone who wants to thwart the establishment of
14518-462: Was endorsed by Yitzhak Shamir, who expressed disappointment in Netanyahu's leadership. Following the withdrawal of his remaining partners, Netanyahu's coalition collapsed in December 1998, resulting in the 1999 election , where Labor's Ehud Barak defeated Netanyahu on a platform promoting the settlement of final status issues. Following his defeat, Netanyahu stepped down as leader of Likud. That September, former Defense Minister Ariel Sharon won
14640-493: Was held in May 1996, and included a direct vote for the prime minister in which Netanyahu narrowly defeated Peres, becoming the new prime minister. In 1998 Netanyahu agreed to cede territory in the Wye River Memorandum , which led some Likud MKs, led by Benny Begin (Menachem Begin's son), Michael Kleiner and David Re'em , to break away and form a new party, named Herut – The National Movement . The new party
14762-469: Was in March 2005, when he and Netanyahu, then his finance minister, proposed a budget plan that met fierce opposition from the opposition and parties to the Likud's right. The plan passed the Knesset's finance committee by a one-vote margin, before being approved by the Knesset by a wider margin later that month. The second was in September 2005, when Sharon's critics in the Likud, led by Netanyahu, forced
14884-564: Was the first Israeli prime minister to meet Palestinian leaders at the Madrid Conference following the Persian Gulf War in 1991. However, Shamir refused to concede the idea of a Palestinian state, and as a result was blamed by some (including United States Secretary of State James Baker ) for the failure of the summit. On 14 June 2009, as Prime Minister Netanyahu gave a speech at Bar-Ilan University in which he endorsed
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