Never divide Jerusalem
Published by Avi Green on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 11:52 AM.
It's now Jerusalem Day, and the prime minister, upon returning to the country, had some things to say:
Update: here's a video from the Western Wall ceremony.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu vowed Thursday never to divide Jerusalem, and pledged to keep the capital united under Israeli sovereignty.You said it, pal.
"Jerusalem was always ours and will always be ours. It will never again be partitioned and divided," Netanyahu said at the official state ceremony marking Jerusalem Day and the reunification of the capital during the Six Day War 42 years ago.
"Only under Israeli sovereignty will united Jerusalem ensure the freedom of religion and freedom of access for the three religions to the holy places," he added.
The prime minister prefaced his remarks with a reference to his meetings with US President Barack Obama and other American officials earlier in the week, saying he had made the same declarations during that trip.
In an earlier address, President Shimon Peres said that Jerusalem, while sacred to others, is the only capital Israel and the Jewish people have ever known.
"Jerusalem is held sacred by half of mankind [but] it has been and always will be Israel's capital. We never had another and it has never been the capital of any other people."
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat lauded Netanyahu for his opposition to divide Jerusalem.
"With the world examining us let it be said here: We will never divide Jerusalem," Barkat said.
Update: here's a video from the Western Wall ceremony.
Labels: Israel
