Issues and Positions

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2006 OU Convention Resolution Regarding Jerusalem
October 11, 2007
Yerushalayim represents the cradle of Judaism and has always been its most hallowed site. Our relationship to Yerushalayim is one that transcends time, space and other physical constraints, and our attachment to this holy city remains constant in our psyche, spirit and practices, wherever we may be.
Following the Roman destruction of Yerushalayim and the forced exile of the Jewish people in 70 C.E., the Jews faithfully reestablished their community in Yerushalayim, preserving their legacy and maintaining daily prayer vigils before the Western Wall. That steadfast Jewish presence continued virtually uninterrupted until the wanton and indiscriminate destruction of the Jewish Quarter inflicted by Jordan in May, 1948. For the nineteen years that it remained under Jordanian control, the Old City was closed to Jews of all nationalities and even to Israeli Muslims and Christians. The City of Peace was sundered by Jordanian barbed wire, cinder block and snipers, and the myth of an Arab East Jerusalem was created by those who sought to separate the People of Israel from their history, traditions and holy sites.
Israel's miraculous liberation of the Old City in 1967 and unification of Yerushalayim brought with it -- for the first time in centuries -- a guarantee that people of all religions could freely access all of the city's holy sites. Under Israeli sovereignty Yerushalayim may now be openly explored by all peace-loving persons, regardless of religion or nationality. Yerushalayim symbolizes how the Jewish people have seized every opportunity to create, build and restore, to give life to their prayers and dreams, and to show peace to the world. We look forward to celebrating in 2007 the 40th anniversary of this milestone.
Accordingly, we resolve that:
Yerushalayim must forever remain the spiritual, cultural and political center of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, and the Orthodox Union is mandated to undertake all efforts that are necessary to secure and maintain Yerushalayim as the eternal and undivided capital of the State of Israel. The Orthodox Union is further mandated to oppose any proposal or plan to relinquish any part of Yerushalayim to any foreign authority.

The Orthodox Union shall continue to lobby the U.S. Administration and Congress to fully implement existing U.S. laws concerning Jerusalem, without waivers and in a manner that fully recognizes Yerushalayim as the capital of Israel, including taking action to move the United States embassy to Yerushalayim.

The Orthodox Union will sponsor and galvanize support for programs throughout the Jewish community to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the reunification of Yerushalayim and all of the positive aspects that have followed from it. In this regard, the Institute for Public Affairs shall promote efforts in the political arena, NCSY and Yachad shall make Yerushalayim a central educational theme in their programming, and other departments shall work to promote an array of 40th anniversary programs in local synagogues.
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