Wonderful history lesson, Yulee, thank you. The more one learns, the more complicated it is. However, Jerusalem itself is the main point of contention: the perpetual tug-of-war among Jew, Christian and Muslim.
For Newt to put this complicated situation into a simple sound-bite does not do justice to all concerned, including Israeli Jews.
I wonder how many FReepers and evangelicals realize that Israel is prepared to accede to a two-state solution. The problem is the Palis refuse to negotiate because they want all of Jerusalem. They had their day, though, when the Ottoman Empire ruled Jerusalem for 1000 years. The best that can be attained is for all three to have their ‘place’ in Jerusalem.
Correction to #111. Turks did not rule for 1000 yrs, maybe 500. Before that, Jerusalem was under various Arab rulers, most notably the caliphate of Abd al- Malik.