The Mount of Olives (Har Hazeitim in Hebrew) in Jerusalem has been used as a Jewish cemetery for more than 3,000 years.

Approximately 150,000 Jewish people are buried there, including some of the greatest Jewish leaders, prophets, and rabbis of all time. Thus, the Mount of Olives is by far the largest and most important Jewish cemetery in the world.

The Mount of Olives is mentioned in the visions of the prophets Ezekiel and Zechariah. Jewish tradition relates that the beginning of the resurrection process will take place on the Mount at the end of days. Many Jews believe that those buried on the Mount will be the first to arise for everlasting life with the coming of the Messiah.

The Jews of Jerusalem customarily sent soil from the Mount of Olives in bags to Jewish communities in the Diaspora, and Jews outside of Israel would spread this soil on the graves of their loved ones.

In sum, it has been a religious and historic shrine for Israel and the Jewish people for thousands of years.

The Significance of the Mount of Olives

Jeff Daube, director of the Israel Office of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) and Israel co-chairman of the International Committee for the Preservation of Har Hazeitim, said that:

“The Jewish significance of the Mount of Olives cannot be overstated.”

He described it as:

“the greatest repository of Jewish history in the world.”

The cemetery includes the graves of:

• Three ancient Jewish prophets and a prophetess
• Numerous sages
• Chief rabbis of Israel
• An Israeli prime minister
• Zionist builders and defenders of Israel
• The founder of Hadassah Hospital
• Countless Jews from around the world

It also sits directly across from Judaism’s holiest site — the Temple Mount.

Christian Importance

The Mount of Olives is also central to Christianity.

Several key events in the life of Jesus, according to the Gospels, took place there, including the account in the Book of Acts describing the place from which Jesus ascended to heaven.

Because of its association with both Jesus and Mary, the Mount has been a Christian pilgrimage site since ancient times.

It remains a major destination for:

• Eastern Orthodox Christians
• Catholics
• Protestants

Important Christian sites there include:

• Church of All Nations
• Garden of Gethsemane
• Russian Orthodox Church of Maria Magdalene

Violence and Attacks on the Mount

In addition to being a functioning cemetery and pilgrimage site, the Mount of Olives has also become a location where Palestinian Arabs allegedly commit:

• Physical attacks
• Rock throwing
• Firebombings
• Grave desecration

According to the article, these attacks terrorize Jewish mourners and visitors, impede burials, and force relatives to miss funerals for loved ones.

The Mount and Israeli Sovereignty

The Mount of Olives is deeply connected to the dispute over Israeli sovereignty, Jewish history, and sacred geography.

The Mount and cemetery are involved in territorial disputes between:

• Israel
• Muslim nations
• Palestinian Arabs

The article argues that:

• Islam rejects Jewish sovereignty
• Arab nationalism rejects Zionism

It further states that Palestinian Arabs have demanded that Israel withdraw from or relinquish control over the Mount, claiming it as part of “occupied territory.”

Geography of the Mount

The Mount of Olives forms part of a ridge extending approximately 2.2 miles east of Jerusalem’s Old City and the Temple Mount, across the Kidron Valley.

The ridge includes:

The ridge also marks the beginning of the Judean Desert and was once covered in olive groves.

The southern section served as the necropolis of the ancient Judean kingdom.

Jordanian Rule (1948–1967)

Between 1948 and 1967, Jordan controlled eastern Jerusalem.

During this period:

• Jews were denied access to the Mount
• Jewish burials were prohibited
• Cemetery sites were desecrated

According to the article:

• 38,000 tombstones and graves were damaged or destroyed
• Some stones were allegedly used for roads and latrines

These actions occurred despite Jordan’s commitments under the 1949 Israeli-Jordanian Armistice Agreement.

Israeli Control After 1967

After Israel captured eastern Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967:

• Burial ceremonies resumed
• Sections of the cemetery were rehabilitated
• Access for religious purposes was reopened

The article contrasts Israeli policies with those of prior Arab control, asserting that Israel guarantees free religious access.

Interview with Jeff Daube

Q: What is the Mount of Olives’ significance for Israeli sovereignty?

JD:

Daube argued that Israeli sovereignty is essential to protecting Jewish access and preventing further desecration.

He noted that the 1949 Armistice Agreement specifically recognized the cemetery’s special status and guaranteed access and burial rights.

According to Daube:

“The exact opposite happened under Jordanian occupation.”

He further argued that Israeli control is strategically necessary to prevent a north-south corridor of Palestinian construction stretching from Ramallah to Bethlehem.

The Jewish presence on the Mount, together with the City of David and Emek Tzurim National Park, is described as a barrier against those efforts.

Q: What is the current security situation?

JD:

Daube stated that security had improved due to:

• Increased police presence
• Uniformed and undercover officers
• Installation of cameras
• New security policies

He referenced the “Mandelblit Plan,” which combined increased budgets and enforcement efforts.

However, he claimed attacks still occurred frequently:

• Stonings
• Firebombings
• Fireworks attacks

Targets allegedly included:

• Visitors
• Kindergartens
• Burial processions

He advocated for:

“a policy of zero tolerance.”

Q: Are Jews visiting the area safe?

JD:

Daube said safety depends on the area visited.

He claimed that some areas near the Temple Mount are relatively safe, while others — referred to as the “Wild East” — require personal protection or armed escorts.

Q: Are graves still being desecrated?

JD:

According to Daube, desecration decreased significantly after:

• Installation of 137 security cameras
• Creation of a police substation

However, violence reportedly increased again during and after the Gaza conflict of 2014, including smashed gravestones and destroyed cameras.

Q: How does the Mount relate to the peace process?

JD:

Daube argued that the Oslo Accords complicated Israel’s ability to fully assert sovereignty over Jerusalem.

He pointed to disputes involving:

• Illegal construction
• Mosque expansion near the cemetery
• International scrutiny of the “Holy Basin”

According to Daube:

“Every action, or inaction, attracts international censure and sanctions.”

He argued Israel should resume:

“full assertion of sovereignty in all of Jerusalem.”

Q: What can American Jews do?

JD:

Daube suggested several actions:

1. Support ZOA Israel and the International Committee for the Preservation of Har Hazeitim
2. Contact U.S. government officials regarding attacks on Americans
3. Contact the Israeli government regarding violence and vandalism
4. Help build Diaspora opposition to the status quo

He stated:

“The Mount is a part of the entire Jewish people’s heritage. We, in Israel, are merely your trustees.”

Q: Is any legislation pending?

JD:

Daube described efforts involving:

• Israeli anti-desecration laws
• Rock-throwing penalties
• Parent liability for juvenile offenders
• Cooperation with members of the Knesset

He also referenced U.S. legislation such as Congresswoman Grace Meng’s Protect Cemeteries Act.

Additionally, he said efforts were underway to have attacks documented in U.S. State Department reports concerning:

• Terrorism
• Human rights
• Religious freedom
• Anti-Semitism

Conclusion

The article concludes with the warning:

“We must all treat the Mount of Olives with the reverence and importance it deserves — strategically and religiously — or ignore it and give it up at our peril.”