While much of Israel is bracing for the possibility of an Iranian missile strike, a curious sense of calm can be found in the heart of Jerusalem. Not everyone is worried. In fact, some locals are convinced that Jerusalem – or more precisely, the Old City and its surroundings – will remain untouched
It’s not the Iron Dome, intelligence capabilities, or faith in deterrence they rely on. It’s something else: demographics and holy places
A resident from the Nahlaot neighborhood wrote online
"If a missile strays and hits Al-Aqsa, a mosque, or even harms Palestinian residents – it would spell the end of Iran’s image as a religious leader. They won’t take that chance
This theory – that Iran would avoid directly targeting Jerusalem out of fear of striking Islamic holy sites or Arab communities – has quietly spread throughout the city. It’s not a sentimental idea, but a calculated one. The assumption is that Iran is deeply invested in portraying itself as the defender of Islam, and would never risk being seen as the one who destroyed Al-Aqsa Mosque or harmed Muslims in East Jerusalem
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“It’s a real consideration,” says Ronen, a Jerusalem-based IDF reservist
“We’ve seen it with Hezbollah too – they don’t launch rockets at the Old City. Not out of concern for us, but because of what it would mean for them. Iran can’t afford that backlash
Cities That Were ‘Untouchable’ in the Past
History has shown that some places become “no-target zones” – not for moral reasons, but because of international or religious implications
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During WWII, the Allies avoided bombing Rome to protect the Vatican
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Hezbollah has never fired rockets toward Al-Aqsa
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Iran has deliberately avoided attacks in sensitive areas of Baghdad and Basra, despite enemy presence
Has Jerusalem become one of those “untouchable” cities? Not officially – but many here seem to believe so
Life Goes On in the Old City
A photo taken this week in the Old City market captures that feeling. Stalls are open, tourists wander in and out, and vendors are smiling. In a time when bomb shelters are locked across the country, some in Jerusalem speak of a different kind of shield – a strategic one
“They don’t want to hit Jerusalem,” says Danit, a local woman. “If they kill Arabs by mistake, the whole world will turn on them. Right now, this might be the safest place in Israel
