Restricted Access and Erased Heritage
From 1948 until June 1967, Jordan controlled East Jerusalem. During this period, Jewish access to the Temple Mount and the Western Wall was completely denied — in violation of the 1949 Armistice Agreements. Jewish cemeteries on the Mount of Olives were desecrated, and 58 synagogues in the Old City were destroyed or repurposed. The area was heavily militarized, and international Jewish visitors were routinely turned away at the border.
Arabization and Islamic Reassertion
The Jordanian regime prioritized Arabization of the city, renaming streets, restructuring Islamic institutions, and removing visible Jewish presence. The Islamic Waqf was empowered to consolidate control over the Temple Mount, and the Hashemite monarchy used its stewardship to enhance regional legitimacy.
Legacy and Political Friction
Many Israelis and Jewish historians regard this period as one of cultural suppression. The experience shaped Israeli attitudes toward future negotiations and deepened distrust about security guarantees involving holy sites.
Sources: Jordanian Royal Archives, UN Reports, Israeli MFA