The term "Capital of Israel" refers to the designated city or territory which holds the primary status as the administrative, governmental, and symbolic center of the State of Israel. As of present, the internationally recognized capital of Israel is Jerusalem.
Jerusalem, renowned for its historical and cultural significance, is a city located in the Middle East between the Mediterranean and Dead Sea. As the capital, it serves as the seat of the Israeli government, housing the Knesset (parliament), the Supreme Court, and the official residences of the president and prime minister. The city's status as the capital has been acknowledged by Israel since its declaration of independence in 1948, and it is considered by Israel to be its eternal and undivided capital.
Nevertheless, Jerusalem stands at the heart of a longstanding political dispute, as it is also claimed as the capital by the Palestinian Authority for its own prospective state, resulting in ongoing geopolitical complexities and controversy surrounding its status in the international community.
Numerous countries have established their embassies in Tel Aviv, Israel's second-largest city, instead of Jerusalem, in order to maintain neutrality or adhere to the United Nations' recommendation to avoid recognizing Jerusalem as the capital until a final political settlement is reached in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This has further contributed to the contentious nature of the status of Israel's capital.
