May 8, 2000

Orthodox Union Appreciates Concerns Over Jerusalem

The Jewish people have long held that Jerusalem’s status as the indivisible, eternal capital of the State of Israel is an essential tenet of our religious beliefs and convictions.  No other people on earth can claim an unbroken 3,000 year identification with a particular city--Jerusalem has remained the focal point of prayers and aspirations for more than two millennia for only the Jewish people.  Returning to Jerusalem has not been only a dream for the Jewish people but we have always made every effort to live in and travel to Jerusalem. 

It must also be stressed that the only time during the past thousand years that the religious prerogatives of every faith community with interests in Jerusalem have been respected in that city has been since Israel liberated the Old City in 1967.

In light of the above, the Orthodox Union has strongly supported the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 that mandates the transfer of the United States embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv no later than May of 1999 and continues to urge the administration to do so.  We also strongly support the Jerusalem Birthplace Act of 1999 that would allow for the listing of “Jerusalem, Israel” on U.S. passports.

We reiterate our fervent hope, unequivocally stated by every Israeli government, that Jerusalem never again be divided.

We appreciate the concerns of Foreign Minister David Levy and Tourism Minister Shachak who have expressed misgivings regarding the process of transfer at this point in time in the negotiations.

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