Mt of Olives — Local services in Jerusalem

The view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives is exceptional. Once covered in olive groves, it is the world’s largest Jewish cemetery. This is where Christ ascended and will return (Acts 1:9, Zech. 14:4). Jesus was on the Mount of Olives when he foretold what would happen at the end of time (Matt. 24). Across the Kidron Valley the City of David archaeological site provides panoramic views of the white tombs covering the three-thousand-year-old cemetery adjacent to the Silwan or Siloam neighborhood in East Jerusalem.

The neighborhood was seized along with the Jewish Quarter the day after Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion announced the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. Surrounding Arab countries started a war, Israel’s War of Independence (1948). Nineteen years later, Israel regained control after winning the Arab-instigated Six-Day War (1967) achieving the unification of Israel’s capital East and West Jerusalem. In 2018 President Trump moved the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem signifying the United States’ recognition of the location of Israel’s capital which was established by King David (c. 1048 B.C.).

Jewish homes were abandoned in 1948 and the Silwan neighborhood became predominantly Arab. Today tourists can observe its neglected condition while visiting the City of David. The treatment of the land by Arabs remains the same as before 1948 and during nineteen years of Jordanian occupation. Great care is taken in excavating and preserving the City of David, a world heritage. The ancient Jewish tombs in Silwan deserve the same treatment, respect for graves is observed internationally almost without exception. Residents of Silwan have an opportunity to extend peace in a spirit of cooperation by honoring sacred Jewish tombs, respecting neighbors, and showing concern over how the neighborhood represents itself. Consideration for the Dome of the Rock claimed as sacred to Muslims should be enough to keep the Kidron Valley from being contemptuously treated as a...

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? 5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. 9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Mark...

Mount Olive also called Mount of Olive is a mountain ridge east of Jerusalem. We reached there after about 30 minutes of driving through the city. Estimate about 10 KMs from our hotel. It called Mount Olive because at one time the mountain was full of olive trees. The slopes are full of thousands of tombs of Jewish people . Apparently Mount Olive has been used as a cemetery by Jewish community for the last 3000 years or so. Mount olive offers excellent view of Temple Mountain, old city of Jerusalem and of Jerusalem City. Tourists as well as locals visit Mount olive in large numbers not only because of the view, but also because they can have a bird's eye view of most important religious sites of Jews, Christians. Temple Mount, which is the site where once Temples of Solomon and Temple of David stood, Jesus was judged and crucified. For Muslims as Dome if the Rock with its Golden Dome stands out and is visible from almost any part of the mountain and which is of religious importance to the Muslims Important land marks of the life of Jesus are located on the slopes Mount Olive. They Include, Tomb of Virgin, Gethsemane, where Jesus underwent the agony in the garden and was arrested the night before his crucifixion Church of all Nations is also located here. Church Of All Nations where Jesus night before is betrayal by Judas and arrest,. A MUST see attraction...