Orthodox Union Applauds Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for Defense of Jerusalem

09 Nov 2010

ORTHODOX UNION APPLAUDS PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU FOR DEFENSE OF JERUSALEM

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization – applauded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his most current and staunch defense of Jerusalem’s status as the capital of Israel and the Jewish People.

In the wake of the latest round of international criticism of Israel’s activities building and improving the holy city, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office issued a statement declaring, “Jerusalem is not a settlement: Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel…” Israel has “never agreed to limit its construction in any way in Jerusalem where 800,000 inhabitants live….Israel sees no connection at all between the peace process and building plans in Jerusalem.”

As for comments by President Obama describing the latest building plans as “unhelpful,” the Prime Minister’s statement reads, “The differences of opinion between the United States and Israel on the subject of Jerusalem are well known, we hope to overcome them and to continue to make progress in diplomatic negotiations.”

In the wake of this, Orthodox Union President Stephen Savitsky and Executive Vice President Rabbi Steven Weil issued the following statement on behalf of the Orthodox Union: “The Orthodox Union applauds Prime Minister Netanyahu’s staunch defense of the Jewish People’s history and sovereignty in Jerusalem. Those who claim that Jewish activity in Jerusalem is an obstacle to peace are wrong; it is the denial of the Jewish connection to our holiest city and holiest sites that is an obstacle to peace. Jerusalem is, and must remain, the eternal and undivided capital of the State of Israel.”

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