'Hussein's palace' site has a rich history

The Hussein's palace site, called Tel el-Ful, has a long and rich history going back to biblical times when it was the location of King Saul's palace, known as Givat Shaul (which is not the same as the Jewish neighborhood in northwest Jerusalem currently known as Givat Shaul). Tel el-Ful's location and height have made it a strategic site for 3,000 years.

When the 1967 war broke out and Jordan

Hussein's palace to be renovated by Jordan? UPDATE: Work halted

On Wednesday, I reported on an apparent land grab by the Wakf at Hussein's palace in Beit Hanina here in Jerusalem. Now, Maan reports that it's the Kingdom of Jordan which is behind the land grab. The King has apparently decided to complete his father's palace. Jordan is renovating King Hussein's unfinished palace in Jerusalem, Hebrew-language media reported Sunday.

The Palestinian Authority

A land grab at Hussein's palace

In 1972, when I made my first trip to Israel, the tour guide proudly took us to Hussein's palace. Hussein's palace, pictured at top left, was being constructed by Jordan's King Hussein when he foolishly entered the Six-Day War in 1967. It was never finished.

The unfinished palace sits on a high hilltop with a commanding view of the city. It can be seen from many parts of northeastern Jerusalem.