Ep 6. Hope, Tragedy, & The New Normal

Jerusalem: City of Faith and Fury is a six-part docu-drama series that explores the turbulent history of one of the world's oldest and most contested cities. The series examines the irrevocable divisions that have defined the city's past and present, and the powerful forces that continue to shape its destiny.

In the season one finale, titled Hope, Tragedy, & The New Normal, the focus is on the aftermath of the Six-Day War in 1967, which saw Israel capture the Old City of Jerusalem and reunite the city under Jewish control for the first time in over 2,000 years. The episode explores the conflicting emotions felt by Jews and Arabs in the wake of this historic event, and the challenges of trying to reconcile their vastly different narratives of what took place.

For Jewish Israelis, the capture of Jerusalem was a moment of unbridled joy and pride. They saw it as a sign that God was on their side and that they had finally achieved their dream of returning to their ancestral homeland. But for Palestinians and Arabs living in Jerusalem, it was a crushing defeat that shattered their sense of identity and belonging. They felt that they had been robbed of their own history and culture, and that their way of life was under threat from alien forces.

The episode shows how the two sides grapple with the reality of their new situation. For Jewish Israelis, the challenge is to rebuild the city and create a new normal that reflects their own values and aspirations. They set about transforming Jerusalem into a modern, vibrant city that can compete on the world stage. For Palestinians, the challenge is to resist the Israeli occupation and preserve their own culture and way of life. They organize protests and demonstrations to assert their rights and maintain their sense of dignity.

The episode also looks at how Jerusalem has become a focal point for religious conflict in the region. The Old City is home to some of the world's most sacred religious sites, including the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. For Jews, Muslims, and Christians, these sites have enormous spiritual significance and are a source of deep emotional attachment. But they are also a source of tension and conflict, as each group seeks to assert its own claim to the land and the holy places.

Ultimately, Hope, Tragedy, & The New Normal is a reflection on the complexity and power of faith and identity in shaping human history. Jerusalem remains a city of deep meaning and significance for both Jews and Arabs, and its destiny remains uncertain. As the episode concludes, viewers are left contemplating the challenges facing this ancient and troubled place, and the hope that one day its people can find a way to coexist in peace.