During the British authorization in Jerusalem between 1917 and 1938, a series of architectural projects transformed the city, not only bringing modernization but also shaping the way different religious communities interact. A study written by Professor Inbal Ben-Asher Gitler of Sapir Academic College and Ben-Gurion University of NEGEV, published in the peer-reviewed journal Religion, examines how new secular architectures incorporate religious traits to encourage peaceful coexistence or enhance national identity.
Professor Ben-Asher Gitler’s research focuses on four main buildings: the Rockefeller Museum built in the UK, the Palestinian-owned Palace Hotel, the YMCA Building and the Zionist Administration Building. Although these structures are designed to achieve practical purposes, their design includes religious symbols and styles that reflect the interests of their respective sponsors – British and American Christians, Zionist Jews and Muslim Palestinians. The study highlights that while projects in the UK and the US were designed to show a message of religious harmony, Zionist Jewish and Muslim Palestinian buildings use religious symbols to express their national identity.
One of the most interesting aspects of this study is how these structures combine modern design with religious elements to create a fusion of old and new. For example, the Rockefeller Museum is the construction of an archaeological and cultural center, which is a study of human history through artifacts, but its architecture is very attractive from Islamic and Middle Eastern styles. Similarly, the YMCA in the Community and Sports Center (YMCA) has an interreligious church that places pray for people of different religions, as well as inscriptions from the Quran, the Pentateuch and the New Testament, enhancing the idea of religious solidarity.
The Palace Hotel, developed by the Supreme Muslim Commission, was the highest governing body for Islamic affairs in the region at the time, and its design had Islamic architectural influence, reflecting the respected landmark of Haram al-Sharif, a sacred site in Jerusalem, which included Al-Aqsa Mosque and Rock’s Dome. On the other hand, this Zionist administrative building cleverly incorporates Jewish symbols, such as Menorah, an ancient Judaism symbol that reflects the balance between religious identity and urban progress.
Professor Ben-Asher Gitler pointed out that these buildings were not only architectural statements, but also played a role in the political and social environment of the time. “Modern architecture in Jerusalem during the British authorization period was not purely secular. It incorporated religious symbols into its design, adding another layer to how we understand the interaction between religions.” According to the study, this fusion of styles highlights the complex relationship between religion and national identity in cities that have experienced rapid changes.
The study provides new perspectives on how architecture affects inter-religious relations in Jerusalem, England. The heritage of these buildings is still visible today, shaping the city’s cultural and religious landscape while also gaining insight into the ongoing links between religion, politics and urban development.
Journal Reference
Ben-Asher Gitler, inbal. “Modern Types as Spaces for Interreligious Participation in Jerusalem, England, 1917-1938.” Religion, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15121490
About the Author
Inbal Ben-Asher Gitler (Tel-Aviv University, 2005) is an associate professor at Sapir College and the president of the Department of Visual Culture of its Communication Department. At Ben Gurion University of Negev, she is a teaching researcher. Her main research areas are modern architecture of Israel/Palestine and Israeli visual culture. Her latest book The British authorized the architectural culture of Jerusalem, 1917-1948 (University of Edinburgh Press, 2020) is the best book for the 2021 Israeli study by the University Library of the Concordia University – Azrieli Institute. Her edited volumes, Between tradition and experimentation: large-scale housing and prefabrication in modernist architecture, Published in 2024 by Leuven University Press (co-edited with Regine Hess, Tzafrir Fainholtz, Yael Allweil). Since 2014, she has served as co-chair of the Israeli branch and since 2020, she has served as head of the ICOMOS-Israel Council’s 20th Century Heritage.
