East Jerusalem represents the eastern half of Jerusalem and is viewed by Palestinians as the capital of Palestine. It became the focus of Palestinian settlement around the Old City of Jerusalem in the period after the Second World War and Israeli independence in 1948.
Since East Jerusalem fell under Israeli control in the Six Day War of 1967, a large number of Jewish neighbourhoods have also been settled. East Jerusalem is the location of the first campus of the Hebrew University  on Mt Scopus, Although the university area and the military base near it were always under Israeli control, even prior to 1967. Despite the high level of coexistence, the area remains a point of contention in Arab-Israeli relations, somewhat intensified since the outbreak of hostilities in the last few years.
Between the negotiations at Camp David and Taba, various options were explored to give the Palestinians more of a presence in East Jerusalem, which they claim as their capital. The peripheral villages and neighborhoods to the north and south of the city might have been ceded, although the Palestinians might receive less than full sovereignty over them - "functional autonomy," "administrative control" or "limited sovereignty."
In Taba Israel considered ceding some parts of the core areas as well: some of the "Holy Basin" between the Old City and the Mount of Olives, downtown East Jerusalem, the Sheikh Jarrah Quarter, and in the Old City the Muslim and Christian Quarters. The Temple Mount/Haram issue remained unresolved, with Israel prepared to cede "functional sovereignty" (though not official) to the "upper" area of the mosques, while retaining sole sovereignty over the "lower" Western Wall.
- The Mount of Olives, just east of the old city, the mount of olives is actuallly more like a large hill. Originally an ancient Jewish cemetery (which it still operates as today), the Mount of Olives is full of Jewish and Christian sites.
- Tomb of Simeon the Just (Shimon haTzadik), located in the Sheikh Jarrah Neighborhood, this is the traditional burial site of Shimon haTzadik, a Jewish high priest from the second temple period.
- Rockefeller Museum, formerly the Palestine Archaeological Museum, is an archaeological museum located in East Jerusalem that houses a large collection of artifacts unearthed in the excavations conducted in Mandate Palestine, in the 1920s and 1930s. Very short opening hours (between 10am-3pm).
*Gates & Walls of the Old City, The magnificent walls of Jerusalem’s Old City constitute a living example of Arab Islamic architecture. The walls surrounding the Old City were built during the Ottoman period.
*Church of St. Anne and Pool of Bethesda, Located near St. Stephen’s Gate, the two large pools were originally built as part of a water supply system. Later, several grottos were dug up at the east end of the pools in order to provide water cisterns and baths to be used for medicinal and religious purposes.
- The Palestinian heritage museum  is within the American Colony complex in East Jerusalem. Located in a 200-years-old Palestinian building, the museum hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions on Palestinian culture, folklore and history. The permanent exhibition include a room dedicated to the Palestinian Nakba, a floor dedicated to traditional Palestinian dresses and Jewelery, as well as a laboratory for the restoration of old artifacts. Entrance 20/10 NIS.
*Bethany, A short distance from Bethphage is the Palestinian village of Al Azariyya. Bethany ia known as the place Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
- Al-Aqsa Mosque: The Al Aqsa Moque (Masjid Al Aqsa) meaning the farthest mosque is the third holiest site in Sunni Islam. The site on the which the silver Dome sites marks the spot where the Prophet Mohammed was transported from the sacred mosque in Mecca to Al Aqsa during the Night Journey.
- Garden of Gethsemane: This walled garden is the traditional site where Jesus prayed prior to his arrest. The olive trees in the garden are up to 2000 years old. The Catholic basilica on the site has excellent acoustics.
- Tombs in the Kidron Valley: Below the Jewish cemetery in the Kidron valley are several impressive tombs hewn out of the rock. Look for signs to the tomb of Absalom.
- Kan Zman Jerusalem Hotel, Nablus Road, telephone 6283282. Middle Eastern specialities plus pasta and salads. Main courses start at about ₪30, and there are ₪50 buffets on Thursday and Saturday nights. 7AM-12AM. Not kosher.
- American Colony Hotel, One Louis Vincent St., telephone 6279777. French and Middle Eastern cuisine. Three course meals from $25; summer bar. 12PM–3PM and 7PM-11:45PM. Reservations advised. Not kosher.
- Shababeek Restaurant, 7 Shimon Hatsidik Street (Sheek Jarah), ☎ 02 5322626, . noon-11PM. Lovely old style restaurant serving selected mediterranean food. edit
- Victoria Restaurant,Located in the heart of Jerusalem within five minutes walking distance from the old walled city, the heart of the universe the land of gathering & judgement & footsteps of all prophets , Tel:+972 (02) 6283051 Fax: +972 (02) 6274171 Email: [email protected], 
- Gossip. Great Palestinian beer, nice atmosphere, and their Gossip Special Argila (shisha) is amazing. edit
- Jerusalem Hotel, Nablus Road, ☎ +972 2 6283282 ([email protected], fax: +972 2 6283282), . Toll Free Reservation Numbers USA 1-800-657-9401 Norway 800-13115 France 0800/912046 UK 0800/3282393 edit
- Austrian Hospice, Dolorosa and Al Wad, . Gated hostel in the Old City of Jerusalem. Beautiful building and very clean. Café, numerous scenic seating areas, and an amazing view from the roof. $26. edit
- Ramsis Hostel (Guest House), Haneviim st .20 East Jerusalem ((outside Damascus Gate)), ☎ +972-02-6271651, . checkin: 10:am; checkout: 10:00am. A historical house located on the front line between eastern and western Jerusalem. Owner and manager name: Mike Mushasha A very friendly and experienced man who speaks fluent English, Hebrew, and Romandan. The hostel is very close to many interesting places for tourists, just five minutes walk away. $15. (,$10) edit
- Mount of Olives Hotel, 53 Mount of Olives Road. Affordable family-run hotel situated at the summit of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, next door to the Chapel of Ascension. Surrounded by famous churches and holy sites including, among others, the Garden of Gethsemene, the Tomb of the Virgin Mary, the Church of all Nations, Dominus Flevit, and the Pater Noster. Commands a view of the Old City and the Dome of the Rock., 628-4877, Fax: 626-4427, [email protected], .
- The American Colony Hotel, One Louis Vincent St. (Jerusalem), ☎ +972-2-627-9777, 1-800-265-669 ([email protected]il), . Luxury, historic boutique hotel in Jerusalem, located within walking distance of all major sights and within ten minutes of the Damascus Gate in the Old City. Has 86 unique rooms and suites, outdoor pool, spa treatments, breakfast buffet, free internet access and complimentary parking. edit
- Azzahra Hotel, 13 Azzahra Street (Jerusalem), ☎ +972-2-6282447 ([email protected]), . checkin: 14:00; checkout: 12:00. The Azzahra Hotel opened in 1948 and was the first hotel in East Jerusalem. The family-run Hotel Azzahra is set within a 19th-century building and offers an international restaurant with Italian, French and Asian cuisine. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi and free parking. Rooms have satellite TV and private bathrooms. edit
Address: Sheikh Jarrah, Nablus Road, P.O Box 19186, East Jerusalem
- Ritz Hotel, Tel: +972 (02) 6269900 Fax: +972 (02) 6269910 Email: [email protected] Internet:  Address: Ibn Khaldoun Street, P.O Box 19130, Jerusalem
- Jerusalem Panorama Hotel, PO Box19768, Jerusalem 97400, ☎ +972 (02)6284887 ([email protected], fax: +972 (02)6273699), . checkin: 14:00; checkout: 11:00. Reasonably priced hotel on the south end of the Mount of Olives within walking distance of the Garden of Gethsemane with a breathtaking view of the Old City. edit
There are Arab bus depots located in East Jerusalem just outside the old city. The one directly outside Damascus Gate goes mostly to other Arab neighborhoods in East Jerusalem but also to Bethlehem. There are two other bus depots in the area, one has buses going to Arab locales in the West Bank north of Jerusalem (buses with green writing) while the other has buses going South (buses with blue writing).