Why did Jerusalem remain under international control after the 1947 UN partition of Palestine?

A. It served as a home base for UN peacekeepers.

B. It was experiencing a massive refugee crisis that required solving.

C. It is of cultural importance to three of the world's major religions.

D. It was to become the common capital for a joint Arab-Israeli state.

Correct answer:

C. It is of cultural importance to three of the world's major religions.

Details:

When the United Nations resolved that there should be a partition of Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state, they were not ready to concede control of Jerusalem to either side. That was both a political and a religious concern. Knowing the significance of the city of Jerusalem and its holy sites to Judaism, Islam and Christianity, the UN wanted to ensure that the city remained accessible to persons from all the faiths. UN General Assembly Resolution 181 (November, 1947), included this statement: ""Independent Arab and Jewish States and the Special International Regime for the City of Jerusalem ... shall come into existence in Palestine two months after the evacuation of the armed forces of the mandatory Power has been completed but in any case not later than 1 October 1948." That didn't actually take place as the UN had hoped - - war between Israel and surrounding Arab nations conflicted with the plans the UN had. In December, 1948, UN Resolution 194 repeated the desire that Jerusalem remain an international city with access to all the religious groups. Resolution 194 stated that the holy sites in the whole Palestine region "should be protected and free access to them assured," and that "detailed proposals for a permanent international regime for the territory of Jerusalem should include recommendations concerning the Holy Places in that territory."

Answer:C. It is of cultural importance to three of the world's major religions.