by Algemeiner Staff
US Jewish organizations and pro-Israel groups were united on Monday in welcoming the opening of the American Embassy in Jerusalem — almost 23 years after the passage of the Jerusalem Embassy Act by huge majorities in Congress.
America-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
“We are grateful to President Trump for officially recognizing Jerusalem — the historic and spiritual capital of the Jewish people for more than 3,000 years — as Israel’s capital last December and for opening our embassy there today…It is particularly fitting that this historic event occurs as Israel celebrates the 70th anniversary of its founding. America was the first nation to recognize the independence of the Jewish state, and it is particularly appropriate that our country is once again taking the initiative to strengthen our relationship with Israel and its standing in the world.”
Norm Coleman, Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) national chairman
“Today I have the honor to lead the RJC delegation at the dedication of the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. This is a day that the RJC has been working towards for over thirty years. But the credit for today goes to our President, Donald J. Trump. We have been told by administrations, both Republican and Democrat, that they would take this monumental step, only to be disappointed every six months, when a President would sign another waiver. Not President Trump: he made sure that this year we are finally in Jerusalem!”
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
“Today is a day of celebration. The opening of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem is a historic milestone 2000 years in the making. Jerusalem has been the spiritual capital of the Jewish people for millennia and Israel’s political capital since its earliest days. Today’s opening of the U.S. embassy acknowledges these fundamental truths and constitutes a resounding answer to repeated attempts in recent years, notably in international fora, to deny the millennial Jewish bond to the city. We urge other countries to follow suit as soon as possible and recognize the self-evident truth that Jerusalem is Israel’s eternal capital…We express our deep appreciation to the Trump Administration and the US Government for making and implementing this long overdue move.”
American Zionist Movement
“As we applaud this long delayed step by our country we call on all other nations that have diplomatic relations with Israel to now recognize and relocate their embassies to Jerusalem, which is the duly designated capital of the State of Israel…“The name of Jerusalem, in Hebrew, means ‘city of peace’. As Jerusalem is home to, and holy to, people of many faiths, the city must now become the ‘crossroads of peace’. This can be achieved when all the nations of the world gather in Jerusalem for peace and diplomacy.”
National Council of Young Israel (NCYI)
“As the eternal and indisputable capital of the State of Israel, Jerusalem has a fundamental connection to the Jewish nation that touches on all facets of our history as a people, and it is only fitting that the U.S. diplomatic presence in Israel will now call Jerusalem home…We salute as well our Young Israel member and friend (US Ambassador to Israel) David Friedman for the pivotal role he played in spearheading the efforts which led to the historic opening of the American Embassy in Jerusalem.”
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
“In 1995, Congress overwhelmingly endorsed the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and called for our embassy to be relocated there. The Conference of Presidents was instrumental in supporting and advancing this legislation… We are grateful that it is finally being implemented, and that we are privileged to see the day when the American flag is flying over a new US Embassy in the eternal capital of Israel, Jerusalem. We congratulate the forthright efforts of President Donald Trump, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, the USCongress, and all those involved. ”
Zionist Organization of America (ZOA)
“It is especially meaningful that President Trump and his administration’s important, moral and just action is occurring on this historic day – the seventieth anniversary of May 14, 1948 – the date of Israel’s reestablishment as a sovereign state…The ZOA would also like to give special recognition to: the Congressional leaders who spearheaded the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 (working together with ZOA and Doug Feith): then-Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), then-Senator Bob Dole (R-KS), and then-Congressman Newt Gingrich (R-GA) – as well as to all the bipartisan members of Congress who passed this act almost unanimously (93 to 5 in the Senate; 374 to 37 in the House) – thereby assuring passage into law of the Jerusalem Embassy Act despite then-President Bill Clinton’s refusal to sign the bill.”
Israeli-American Council (IAC)
“On this historic day, we remember that the Jewish tradition teaches: ‘If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy.'”
Stand With Us
“Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, always was and always will be. The United States’ official recognition of this and moving their embassy affirms a historic reality.”
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