Reuters: Netanyahu defies U.S. over Jerusalem settlement
Since when is Jerusalem a “settlement”?
It seems a good time to remind us all of the Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act, which was passed by Congress on October 23, 1995, in which Congress found:
- Each sovereign nation, under international law and custom, may designate its own capital.
- Since 1950, the city of Jerusalem has been the capital of the State of Israel.
- The city of Jerusalem is the seat of Israel’s President, Parliament, and Supreme Court, and the site of numerous government ministries and social and cultural institutions.
- The city of Jerusalem is the spiritual center of Judaism, and is also considered a holy city by the members of other religious faiths.
- From 1948-1967, Jerusalem was a divided city and Israeli citizens of all faiths as well as Jewish citizens of all states were denied access to holy sites in the area controlled by Jordan.
- In 1967, the city of Jerusalem was reunited during the conflict known as the Six Day War.
- Since 1967, Jerusalem has been a united city administered by Israel, and persons of all religious faiths have been guaranteed full access to holy sites within the city.
Of course, the Act stipulated that the American Embassy would be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by 1999. It hasn’t happened.
What do you think?
10:22 pm
The United States of America Is not the God of Israel. We would not for one moment stand for some ally dictating to us about the “settlement” of Washington, D.C. or anywhere else in our country. Stand your ground.
8:20 pm
Jerusalem has been the Jewish capital for at least 4,000 years despite many attempts to change that. Israel is a properly established sovereign nation and as such her capital Jerusalem, should remain under one sovereign authority. People seem to forget 16th May 1948 when Jordan and others overran the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem. They also forget that Israel did not start the Six Day War in which the attackers were vanquished.