A former palace that was being built for the late King Hussein of Jordan may soon be demolished in Jerusalem. In a recent meeting between Israel’s prime minister, Ehud Olmert, and the current King Abdullah of Jordan, King Abdullah requested that a structure on the former royal property be demolished so that it could not be further desecrated by the Palestinians. Municipality officials are currently taking steps to honor the request.


King Hussein of Jordan began building the palace in 1966 when the nation was called Trans-Jordan and controlled many of the mountains surrounding Jerusalem. The spot is ideal with a terrific panoramic view of the city of Jerusalem as well as much of the country of Jordan. The Dead Sea can be seen from this particular vantage point as well as the entire city of Jerusalem.


The property is currently on the northern tip of modern day Jerusalem and sets atop a mountain between the Jewish neighborhood of Pisgat Ze-ev and a growing Arab neighborhood on the outskirts of Ramallah. The property is currently owned bythe Israeli government and is a standing memorial to the Six Day War when Jerusalem was reunited in June of 1967. Several illegal structures built by the Palestinians on the property have been demolished in the past, and King Hussein has requested that the remaining illegal structures also be demolished. Israel’s Prime Minister is attempting to respect King Abdullah’s request and has turned the task over to Jerusalem Municipality officials.


King Hussein was not the only king in history to build on this particular mountain location. King Saul, the first king of Israel, built his royal palace overlooking Jerusalem on the very same mountain vista called Gibeah. It was strategically located for him to watch the movements his enemies the Philistines as they endeavored to kill the first Israel's king.


With such a spectacular view and strategic location many say the property should be utilized as a memorial to Israel’s first king and her fight for the reunification of Jerusalem. We must wait and see what the municipality of Jerusalem decides to do with the property.