May 2017 in Jerusalem – week commencing Sunday 21st – and the city could rarely have been more busy.

President Trump arrives on Monday lunchtime, creating havoc to the traffic for 36 hours. Then on Tuesday night celebration begin, commemorating 50 years since the reunification of the city following the 1967 Six Day War. At the end of the week, the mosques will begin the calls for the month of Ramadan. And a few days after that is the holy festival of Shavout, where Jews flock to the Wailing Wall at 5.00 in the morning, as Christians celebrate Pentecost. Phew.

Jerusalem has come a long way since 1967. The period preceding that was marked by tension. The Jordanians ruled the Old City of the eastern approaches. They boarded up the gap in Jaffa Gate, one of the main routes to the Wailing Wall. They destroyed vast parts of the cemetery on the Mount of Olives, fortunately missing the tombstone of my great grandfather. In fact, when the Israeli cabinet met during the build up to the war in 1967, the minutes reveal that the participants could hear sporadic shooting in the distance.

The current mayor, Nir Barkat, has released a video ahead of the Trump visit. It is an enlightening explanation, demonstrating how barbed wire has vanished. In its place is a multicultural city that is becoming a leading centre for high-tech in the Middle East. And the proof is readily available:

• Yarok Food Safety Fast Testing System has just secured a UN Innovation Award. The company enables fresh food producers in developing countries to detect hazardous bacteria within 45 minutes.
• US Medical device conglomerate, Medtronic, is about to open a r&d centre in the holy city.
• Last week, Snapchat founder, Evan Spiegel, was in Jerusalem, clearly scouting out more targets for partnerships.

The name “Jerusalem” has disputed origins. Some refer to the word ‘shalom’ or ‘peace’. Others see its meaning in the term ‘complete awe’. And that is just to give a sample of the interpretations.

However you look at it, Jerusalem in 2017 is a vibrant, open city, that welcomes visitors who include President Trump and aging rockstars. It is a united city that has so much to offer the rest of the world. I wish Trump well as he is whisked around the holy sites and more. It is only because Israel is a democracy, the single democracy in the Middle East, that he is able to enjoy such a tour.