Mount Scopus

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The Hebrew University complex and tower on Mount Scopus from the south. The new tunnel through the mountain to Maale Adummim is visible.

Mount Scopus (Hebrew הַר הַצּוֹפִים, Standard Hebrew Har haẒofim, Tiberian Hebrew Har haṣṢôp̄îm; Arabic جبل المشارف Ǧabal al-Mašārif, جبل المشهد Ǧabal al-Mašhad, جبل الصوانة Ǧabal aṣ-Ṣawānah) is an eastern Jerusalem hill.

Mount Scopus is in the northeast corner of Jerusalem. Neighborhoods near Mount Scopus include French Hill to the north, and Sheik Al Jarra to the Southwest.

Unlike East Jerusalem, Mount Scopus was held by Israel during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and existed as an exclave of Israel inside Jordanian territory. Israeli sovereignty over Mt. Scopus is internationally recognized. Today, Mount Scopus lies inside Israel's official borders for the city of Jerusalem.

The Old City of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus

Fabled for its views of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus is a vantage point that in the past has had strategic significance — hence its name (Latin scopus as in "scope"). It was from Mount Scopus that the Romans planned and launched their assault that destroyed the city in 70 A.D. The Crusaders also chose this location for their camp before the Siege of Jerusalem in 1099 A.D.

Notable establishments on Mount Scopus: