It’s about time

I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. Standing in Jerusalem at the newly announced US Embassy, among 800 friends and comrades, pinching ourselves to be sure this is real, we said the blessing for living to see this day. We took pictures of each other, of the huge sign on the wall proclaiming the building changed from consulate to embassy, we hugged our hats and commemorative pins and each other. We celebrated at receptions and events, some of us lucky enough to be members of both sides of the world – attending both PM Netanyahu’s official ceremony and the US Embassy switch as well. We are all VIPs in our love for Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, Israel (Ruth Lieberman)

Whirlwind days and many guests later, my feet are killing (I actually went barefoot in most of the photos) and I remain grateful to have been a small cog in this momentous development. We remember God above whose plans sometimes dazzle and often tease; we thank courageous world leaders for telling the truth: Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish people. and of the state of Israel.

And yet, I’d add: It’s about time. Thank you, world, for beginning to recognize what we have always known. Jerusalem, the golden city at the heart of our land and our prayers, has always been our center. The others either turn their backs on Jerusalem to pray in another direction, or simply defile the city’s holiest sites and let it decay over centuries when we Jews were not here as caretakers of our ancient land.

We are back now, and finally proudly unafraid to say what we’ve known in our hearts forever: This city is ours. Its significance is to us. We are its residents, we are its heart. And we will no longer compromise that truth. We walk in the footsteps of King David – yes, no shame in our biblical heritage, it is that which gives us the right of ownership:

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. (Psalms 125:2)

Jews, Christians, Arabs, Israelis, Americans and people worldwide – You are welcome in this city of brotherly love, whose very name embodies the desire to become bonded, to join as a whole, to be honest and straightforward. We share the magic of this holy city with all who desire peace, and we encourage you to join us.

But one thing we won’t do is withstand the distortion of the truth. Fake news and vicious lies are what our enemies use to push us into the sea. Violence, threats and hatred fomented by palestinian Arab leaders with no compassion for their women and children – all these are causing death and destruction of their own people.

Truth is on our side. Determination and honesty are our weapons, with history on our side and the nations of the world coming around. Sorry for the soliloquy, but after the emotional tears of yesterday and the reciting of the blessing for how grateful we are to live to see these miracles, we aren’t going anywhere.

And together with our friends from the USA to Guatemala and beyond, we are standing up for that truth. It’s about time.

p.s. Special shout-out to some of those who’ve worked day & night to help make this step a reality, from our Jaffe-Strategies’ Yes! Israel team, missions with Congressmen DeSantis & Ross, Senator Lee, some unname-able White House officials and more. Thank you!