"First of all, Arafat is wrong. Jerusalem is Israel's capital, will never be divided, and will remain the capital of the State of Israel, the capital of the Jewish people, for ever and ever"

This quote from Benjamin Netanyahu shows a strong political position on the city of Jerusalem's status within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu, a popular Israeli political figure, stresses the importance of Jerusalem to Israel, asserting its indivisibility and everlasting status as the capital of the Jewish state. By specifying "Arafat is incorrect", Netanyahu straight challenges the position held by Yasser Arafat, the late leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), who promoted for East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Netanyahu's statement underscores a central and deeply controversial concern in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Jerusalem holds extensive historical, spiritual, and political significance for both Israelis and Palestinians, as well as for Jews, Christians, and Muslims globally. The city encompasses websites sacred to each of these faiths, making its status a focal point of tension and settlement.

The phrase "will never be divided" speaks with past geopolitical setups and fears of possible future divisions of the city. Prior to the Six-Day War in 1967, Jerusalem was divided between Israeli and Jordanian control. Israel's subsequent capture and annexation of East Jerusalem has actually not been globally recognized, and Palestinians see this area as occupied land.

In asserting that Jerusalem will stay the capital "permanently and ever", Netanyahu is declaring Israel's long-lasting commitment to the city's unified status under Israeli sovereignty. This statement is deeply significant politically and symbolically, as it closes the door on any possibility of shared or worldwide governance, at least from Netanyahu's point of view.

Netanyahu's certainty over the city's future serves his domestic audience by strengthening Israeli nationwide identity and security issues. Internationally, it communicates a staunch position, potentially complicating peace negotiations that depend on versatility and compromise over Jerusalem's last status. This steadfast position catches the enduring complexity and psychological weight of the Jerusalem issue within Middle Eastern geopolitics.