Palestine · West Bank · East Jerusalem
Al-Issawiya, East Jerusalem — Area Guide & Where to Stay
Al-Issawiya is a Palestinian neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, on the eastern slopes of the Mount Scopus ridge below the Hebrew University campus.
About Al-Issawiya
Where to stay in Al-Issawiya
The right area depends on your trip — here's what each neighbourhood is best for.
The Hadassah Medical Center and the Hebrew University campus sit on the crest above Al-Issawiya, and a traveller with business at either books up there or further into Jerusalem rather than on the residential slope below. Al-Issawiya's own streets are housing stacked up the Mount Scopus slope, with nothing that takes guests. French Hill adjoins the western edge.
Road 1 wraps the eastern and northern boundary, the link between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim.
About Al-Issawiya
What are the main landmarks in Al-Issawiya?
The buildings that carry names here stand on the Mount Scopus rim, not on the slope. The Hadassah Medical Center and the Hebrew University campus adjoin Al-Issawiya to the north and west, and the settlement of French Hill and the Ofarit military base close off the southwestern side. Southward the ground is set aside for the Mount Scopus slopes national park.
Road 1 draws the eastern edge. Beyond it the highway runs on toward Ma'ale Adumim.
What is the history of Al-Issawiya?
Al-Issawiya's history is written along the Mount Scopus rim and the line of Road 1. The Hadassah Medical Center and the Hebrew University campus hold the ridge to the north and west, French Hill and the Ofarit military base close the southwestern approach, and Road 1 was laid along the eastern and northern side to link Jerusalem with Ma'ale Adumim. The slope in between is Palestinian ground. Ground to the south is held for the Mount Scopus slopes national park, a plan rather than a park.
Where is Al-Issawiya?
Al-Issawiya covers the eastern slopes of the Mount Scopus ridge. Road 1 bounds it east and north. The Hebrew University campus and the Hadassah Medical Center press against the northern and western edge, with the settlement of French Hill and the Ofarit military base beyond them to the southwest.
Mount Scopus slopes national park is planned for the ground below to the south.
Good for
More areas in East Jerusalem
Updated September 2026