<P> The United Nations proposed, in its 1947 plan for the partition of Palestine, for Jerusalem to be a city under international administration . The city was to be completely surrounded by the Arab state, with only a highway to connect international Jerusalem to the Jewish state . </P> <P> Following the 1948 Arab - Israeli War, Jerusalem was divided . The Western half of the New City became part of the newly formed state of Israel, while the eastern half, along with the Old City, was occupied by Jordan . According to David Guinn, </P> <P> Concerning Jewish holy sites, Jordan breached its commitment to appoint a committee to discuss, among other topics, free access of Jews to the holy sites under its jurisdiction, mainly in the Western Wall and the important Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives, as provided in the Article 8.2 of the Cease Fire Agreement between it and Israel dated April 3, 1949 . Jordan permitted the paving of new roads in the cemetery, and tombstones were used for paving in Jordanian army camps . The Cave of Shimon the Just became a stable . </P> <P> According to Gerald M. Steinberg, Jordan ransacked 57 ancient synagogues, libraries and centers of religious study in the Old City Of Jerusalem, 12 were totally and deliberately destroyed . Those that remained standing were defaced, used for housing of both people and animals . Appeals were made to the United Nations and in the international community to declare the Old City to be an' open city' and stop this destruction, but there was no response . (See also Hurva Synagogue) </P>

Who served as the nations religious headquarters for about 300 years