More than 60 Christian leaders of America sent a letter to President Trump. They urge him to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. And they want it moved back to the U.S. Embassy. But the White house argues that, although trump wants to move the Embassy to do this until it becomes, as it believes that this will complicate the resumption of peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.
“We’ll move the American Embassy in the eternal capital of the Jewish people: Jerusalem!” — That was the promise of the presidential candidate Donald trump, again and again.
But President trump did not fulfill that promise during the current visit to Israel. This is the last Chapter in a long diplomatic history of America in the Holy land. It was here in 1844 appeared the first American Consulate is right behind the Old city walls from Jaffa gate. Now here are the Christian information center. In 1912, the Consulate moved into the building just a few blocks from here the street of the Prophets. Then it was moved to this place, which is now the U.S. representative to the Palestinian authority. This Consulate reports directly to the State Department, not the U.S. Embassy in tel Aviv. About a 10-minute drive to the government building of the United States, where the citizens of the United States provides consular services. All this while the Embassy remains in tel Aviv. But after a recent White house statement that the transfer of the Embassy is delayed, the question arises: will move if it ever actually in Jerusalem?
“Once we met with Senator John Kyle on Capitol hill and appreciated the seriousness of his intentions. The transfer of the Embassy he considered a fundamentally important task. This is not politics, but principle. And he asked us to draft a new bill,” says David Parsons of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem.
More than 20 years ago, David Parsons helped to draft the law on the Embassy to Jerusalem in 1995.
“After going through the meat grinder of Congress, the bill has changed. It added the condition that the law may be suspended by a presidential decree. The document says that every six months the President can suspend the act if it considers that it is in the interests of national security of the United States. It is fear that hinders us,” he says.
More than 20 consecutive years, the presidents signed the relevant decree, and the current term expires on 1 June. In addition to considerations of national security, another reason for the signing of such decrees is that the United States should be an honest broker.
“I think that if our Embassy was transferred at least in West Jerusalem, it would strengthen the peace process. That would give Israel confidence in the support of its ally — America. I guess the longer countries wait, the more serious becomes the issue of Jerusalem,” says Parsons. He also believes that every 50 years, Jerusalem has been experiencing a period of grace.
“Looking back, you will see not only that 50 years ago the city was reunited in 1967, but the fact that 100 years ago it included the English General Allenby. He liberated the city from Ottoman Turks, and the British government has pledged to create a Jewish state. But 150 years ago, in 1867, General Warren discovered the Old town, the original city of David, located South of the Temple mount. Every 50 years in Jerusalem, something happens that releases it and promotes the fulfillment of prophecies about him” — says Parsons.
Israeli leaders hope that someday this list will include the transfer of the U.S. Embassy.
“Israel reunited Jerusalem 50 years ago, in 1967. But the spiritual connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem goes back two thousand years. Our requirements and our presence in Jerusalem for decades. For many years the Jews continue to return to their ancient capital. A transfer of the Embassy from tel Aviv to Jerusalem would show the us recognition of the special relationship of Jerusalem with the Jewish people. It’s just a symbol, but it is the basis of the identity of Israel,” says Dori gold from the Jerusalem center for public Affairs.
“I think it would be right to move the Embassy to Jerusalem. It’s time! And, of course, it would be a blessing for US,” continues Parsons.
In 1950, the year Israel declared Jerusalem as its capital. In 1967 captured the Old city and East Jerusalem. Then, in 1980, Israel adopted the basic law Jerusalem, in which all the land captured in 1967, the year shall constitute its capital. It was then that most of the embassies left Jerusalem to tel Aviv, and the International Christian Embassy moved in.
“…To represent Christians around the world who want to show solidarity with the Israelis, to promote their safety and help them carry out their destiny and to support their claim and connection to Jerusalem,” says David Parsons.
Will there be eventually the transfer of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem or not, Parsons sees the city’s glorious future.
“Here is the promised Son of David, the Messiah, will reign and rule the world in peace and truth. And, of course, we Christians believe is Jesus. But I think that the house of prayer for all people, exalted to the throne of the Messiah during the Messianic age — that is the main fate of Israel,” he says.