From the end of the conflict between Israel and the Arab states in 1949 until 1967, the city of Jerusalem had been divided - the western half controlled by Israel, and the eastern half under Jordanian rule.

In the June, 1967 war, Israel seized the eastern part of Jerusalem, along with the rest of the West Bank. The Old City of Jerusalem, bounded by a wall, and holding the most important religious sites to Jews, Muslims and Christians, was in the eastern half of the city.

After the 1967 war, Israel extended its law to East Jerusalem - in effect, annexing it - and also progressively expanded the municipal boundaries of the city, incorporating the lands of 28 villages in the West Bank.