If you open Google Maps and type in "capital of Israel," the pin drops right in the heart of Jerusalem. But if you’re sitting in a classroom in London or browsing a government website in Tokyo, you might see Tel Aviv listed instead. It's weird, right? Most countries have one clear capital. You don't see people arguing over whether Paris or Lyon is the capital of France.
Jerusalem is different.
To understand what is capital of Israel, you have to look at two different worlds: the world of what’s happening on the ground and the world of international law. Honestly, they don't always agree.
The Reality on the Ground
If you visit Israel today, you'll see that Jerusalem functions as the capital in every practical sense. It’s where the Knesset (the parliament) sits. It’s where the Prime Minister lives. It’s where the Supreme Court makes its rulings. When a foreign leader visits, they don't usually spend their whole time in Tel Aviv; they go to Jerusalem to meet the President at the Beit HaNassi.
Israel declared Jerusalem its capital back in 1950. Later, in 1980, they passed something called the "Jerusalem Law." It basically said that "Jerusalem, complete and united, is the capital of Israel."
But here’s the kicker: much of the world didn't accept that.
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Why the World Hesitates
The United Nations has a long history with this city. Way back in 1947, the UN had this idea to make Jerusalem a "corpus separatum"—an international city that wouldn't belong to anyone. That didn't exactly work out. After the 1948 war, the city was split. Israel had the West, and Jordan had the East.
Then came 1967. After the Six-Day War, Israel took control of East Jerusalem too.
Most countries argue that because the status of East Jerusalem is still "disputed," they can't officially recognize the whole city as Israel's capital until there’s a peace deal with the Palestinians, who also want East Jerusalem as their future capital. Because of this, for decades, almost every foreign embassy was located in Tel Aviv. It was the "safe" diplomatic choice.
The 2017 Shift
Everything changed a bit in 2017 when the U.S. broke the mold. Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital and moved the American embassy there in 2018. It was a massive deal. It started a sort of slow-motion domino effect.
As of early 2026, the list of countries with embassies in Jerusalem has grown, but it's still a small club. You've got:
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- The United States
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Kosovo
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Fiji
- Samoa (which just made the move this year)
Other countries like the Czech Republic and Hungary have opened "diplomatic offices" or trade branches there, which is kinda like a halfway house of recognition. They want to show support without totally breaking from the European Union's official stance.
Tel Aviv: The "Unofficial" Hub
Even though Jerusalem is the political heart, Tel Aviv is the engine room. It’s the tech hub. The nightlife capital. The place where the money is made. Most people who move to Israel for work end up in the "White City," not the "Holy City."
If you ask a diplomat from the UK or France "what is capital of Israel," they will likely say their embassy is in Tel Aviv because they view the city's status as something to be negotiated. For them, Tel Aviv is the functional center of their relationship with the state.
The Religious Layer
You can't talk about Jerusalem without talking about God. For Jews, it's the site of the ancient Temples. For Muslims, it's home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. For Christians, it’s where Jesus was crucified and resurrected.
This religious gravity makes the political question almost impossible to solve. It’s not just about office buildings and zip codes; it’s about deep-seated identity. When the Israeli government says the city is "undivided," they are tapping into thousands of years of history. When the UN says it’s "occupied," they are looking at 21st-century international law.
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What This Means for You
So, what should you put on your geography test? It depends on who is grading it.
If you are looking at the reality of how the country is governed, the answer to what is capital of Israel is Jerusalem. Every branch of government is there. If you are looking at the consensus of the United Nations, the answer is "undetermined" or "disputed," with Tel Aviv serving as the diplomatic surrogate.
The situation is constantly moving. With more Pacific nations and potentially more European countries like the Czech Republic looking to move their embassies in 2026, the "international consensus" is starting to fray at the edges.
To navigate this practically, remember that Jerusalem is the seat of government, while Tel Aviv remains the international gateway. If you're planning a trip or doing business, you'll likely find yourself bouncing between both. Jerusalem for history and politics; Tel Aviv for commerce and the Mediterranean breeze.
Stay updated by checking the official diplomatic lists from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as embassy moves are often announced suddenly following high-level state visits.