Basic Law: Jerusalem, capital of israel

   Passed on 30 July 1980 by the ninth Knesset, the intention of the law is to establish the status of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, to secure its integrity and unity, and to concentrate all the instructions, which were scattered in various laws, regarding the location of national institutions. The law deals with the holy places, secures the rights of the members of all religions, and declares that Jerusalem will be granted special preferences with regard to its development.

   Among other provisions, the law provides that Jerusalem, complete and united, is the capital of Israel. . . . Jerusalem is the seat of the President of the State, the Knesset, the Government and the Supreme Court. . . . The Holy Places shall be protected from desecration and any other violation and from anything likely to violate the freedom of access of the members of the different religions to the places sacred to them or their feelings towards those places. . . . (a) The Government shall provide for the development and prosperity of Jerusalem and the well-being of its inhabitants by allocating special funds, including a special annual grant to the Municipality of Jerusalem (Capital City Grant) with the approval of the Finance Committee of the Knesset. (b) Jerusalem shall be given special priority in the activities of the authorities of the State so as to further its development in economic and other matters. (c) The Government shall set up a special body or special bodies for the implementation of this section.