THE THORNIEST OF ALL PROBLEMS facing the Israelis and Palestinians is the status of Jerusalem, a holy place to three world religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The city lies at the western edge of the West Bank, the land called Judaea in ancient times, and it is the capital city of the modern State of Israel. The border between Israel and the West Bank runs through the city of Jerusalem, dividing it into West Jerusalem, a modern city with industry, shops, and modern housing, and the older East Jerusalem.

West Jerusalem is the home of Hebrew University, Israel's largest university. Not far from the university campus is the building that houses Israel's parliament, the Knesset. Two ancient holy places are in West Jerusalem: King David's tomb and the place believed to be the site of Jesus Christ's Last Supper. Most...