Jaffa Gate, Or Bab El-Khalil, (in Arabic “Gate Of The Friend,” Referring To Abraham, The Beloved

Jaffa Gate, or Bab el-Khalil, (in Arabic “Gate of the Friend,” referring to Abraham, the beloved of God, who is buried in el-Khalil (Hebron), is another one of the eight gates in Jerusalem’s Old City walls. Jaffa Gate is the only one of the Old City gates positioned at a right angle to the wall - a defensive measure to slow down oncoming attackers, or to orient it in the direction of Jaffa Road, from which pilgrims arrived at the end of their journey from the port of Jaffa. Much of Jerusalem’s commerce and political history took place at Jaffa Gate, as seen in these photographs.