Knesset Speaker: ‘Historical Record’ Shows Jerusalem is Israel’s Capital

Edelstein said Trump’s announcement that the US recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was “just a step, one consistent with the historical record,” and called on others to follow suit. 

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein sent a letter to dozens of parliament heads around the world, urging them to “endorse the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital by your country and by the international community.”

In the letter, Edelstein said President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel was “just a step, one consistent with the historical record.”

“For three thousand years, Jerusalem has been the political capital and spiritual center of the Jewish people. This is where King David established the seat of his dynasty and where Solomon built his Temple—the focus of centuries of Jewish prayer from all corners of the Diaspora,” Edelstein wrote, referring to “the historical record.”

“Jerusalem is the only capital that the State of Israel has had since gaining independence nearly seventy years ago, and its status is grounded in legislation. Moreover, this city is the seat of Israel’s government, the home of most major national institutions, and the hub of the country’s diplomatic activity. These are realities that the international community has chosen to ignore,” Edelstein charged.

He was essentially echoing Trump’s words in his historic announcement.

“Today, Jerusalem is the seat of the modern Israeli government. It is the home of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, as well as the Israeli Supreme Court. It is the location of the official residences of the Prime Minister and the President. It is the headquarters of many government ministries,” Trump stated.

“Jerusalem is the capital the Jewish people established in ancient times,” Trump said. “Today Jerusalem is the seat of Israel’s government.”

“Today, we finally acknowledged the obvious, that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. This is nothing more than a recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do,” he stated.

“The announcement by President Trump offers us the opportunity to begin a new chapter in the way the international community relates to this special city,” Edelstein wrote, urging them “to take action in the realm of your capacities and to stand up for the historical record.”

“Endorse the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital by your country and by the international community,” he concluded.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Monday expressed confidence that most European countries will follow Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

“I believe that all or most of the European countries will move their embassies to Jerusalem, recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and engage robustly with us for security, prosperity and peace,” Netanyahu said in Brussels last Monday ahead of a meeting with all 28 foreign ministers of European Union (EU) member states.

A few countries have shown support for Trump’s move, including the Czech Republic which recognized western Jerusalem as the capital of Israel following Trump’s policy changes on the city.

The Czech government’s move on western Jerusalem follows the Czech Parliament’s approval of legislation in May that recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

In April, the Russian Foreign Ministry made a similar move to recognize “west Jerusalem” as the Israeli capital.

Earlier last week, Guatemalan Foreign Minister Sandra Jovel announced that her country supports the US’ decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

By: United with Israel Staff