Most of you know that I am Jewish. One of the greatest moments in my life was when I got to see the Western Wall (which was called the Wailing Wall, back then). It was right after the 1967 War. At that time, the Wall was less exposed that it is now. And, you had to travel through narrow alleys to reach it. When I made that last turn and saw the wall, I was dumbstruck, mesmerized. It was awe-inspiring. It was the symbol that clearly spoke to me. Yrushalayim- Jeruslaem- the City of Peace. Clearly proof that someone (the Supreme Being?) has a delicious sense of humor- since this clearly was a city that had not known peace. 
Most important cities exist for strategic reasons. New York, San Francisco, Athens, … their waterways serve as gateways. London, New Orleans, Berlin, Vienna exist because of important, navigable rivers. Beijing and Madrid have strategic views from on high. Jerusalem- none of the above.
