Jerusalem: The Heart And Soul Of The Jewish People

Ever since seeing the festivities of the opening of the American embassy in Jerusalem on television last year, I have had a plethora of emotions. The first was great pride and appreciation to Hashem that Yerushalayim is finally being recognized as the capital of the state of Israel; but I am simultaneously fearful of the violence that Hamas is fomenting that  continues to effect Israel’s security.  I also have tremendous “hakoras ha-tov” (appreciation) to President Trump. Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump pledged that he would move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This promise had been made by every American president since 1995. The move of the US Embassy to Jerusalem is something the American people have supported and desired for 22 years. It was codified in the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 by over whelming majorities in the House and Senate. The catch was that in order to get broad support, the legislation contained a loophole-a provision that the President could waive the act for national security considerations.  Every President used the waiver year after year that kept the embassy in Tel Aviv. President Trump is the only one to fulfill his pledge. He said in response to his decision, “Now is the right time to do the right thing”.

 This was not an easy decision for Trump to make. It took courage and commitment for him not to only go against tremendous international pressure; but also against internal pressure from those in the State Department, Defense Department and some of his White House advisors who opposed the action. Thanks to President Trump, opening the embassy in Jerusalem in Israel’s capital is an unequivocal statement about the American people’s commitment to the legitimacy and security of the Jewish state and about the high value we place on our most important ally in the Middle East. Netanyahu declared “Remember this moment, this is history,” Trump told the 800 dignitaries in attendance at last year’s opening. ”The US will always be a great friend of Israel and a partner in the cause of freedom and peace.”

But not everyone has been ecstatic about the move. The Palestinians  are determined to make a deadly statement causing intentional havoc in Gaza through weekly protests. Hamas officials have said their mission is to “liberate Palestine” –one more sign that the terrorists who control Gaza have no interest in ever wanting peace or accepting Israel’s existence. 

As one Palestinian   told the Washington Post “We are excited to storm  into Israel and get inside”. Asked what he would do once inside, he responded, “Whatever is possible to kill, throw stones” Hamas organizers put women and children on the front lines to be human shields knowing that Israel will hesitate to respond if those vulnerable individuals are there.

It is ludicrous to even imply that the  constant  wave of demonstrators are  having a Kumbaya moment and are singing and chanting peacefully. They  are continually planting explosives, firing guns and launching Molotov cocktails and kites carrying fuel into Israeli territory to set farm fields on fire.  The world has little interest in the truth when Israel is concerned. So, when the New York Times has a headline that states that, “Israel kills dozens and wounded 1,700 Gazans” without explanation or reasons for it, Hamas succeeded in getting the usual suspects to gang up on Israel. The United Nations and other so-called peace loving nations of the world criticize Israel every time she is attacked and responds to defend herself.

The opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem was  a momentous occasion whose significance will reverberate for many years to come. As Pastor John Hagee said at the end of his prayer at the event, “Let the word go forth from Jerusalem today that Israel lives. Shout it from the house tops that Israel lives. Let every Islamic terrorists hear this message .Israel lives. Let it be heard in the halls of the United Nations, Israel lives.  Let it echo down the marble halls in the presidential palace in iran , Israel lives”.

Yerushalayim is the undivided eternal capital of Israel, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated that when he said” The truth is that not only has Jerusalem been the capital of the Jewish people for millennia and our state for decades  but the truth is that under any peace deal, Jerusalem will remain Israel’s capital.”  It will always be the heart and soul of the Jewish people. Amen to that!

By Cynthia Zalisky

---

Cynthia Zalisky is a Jewish community activist who resides in Kew Gardens Hills. She can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..