No other place on Earth has stirred such passions as the barren strip of land on the edge of the Arabian Desert that has been called Palestine, the Holy Land and Israel.

　　The harsh beauty of the landscape is filled with holiness and bitterness.

　　The dazzling white stone of Jerusalem's buildings reflects so much light at the height of the day that it blinds rather than illuminates. But at dawn, the ancient city reveals itself: For a moment, the light seems to burn everything it touches.

　　It is Judaism's holiest site and Islam's third holiest site behind Mecca and Medina.