Many people know that Jerusalem is the “indivisible (key word) and eternal capital of Israel.” That is the appropriate way to refer to this city. In contrast, when you hear people call Jerusalem an “international” city, that is a code word for “we want to divide it up, cut up Israel, and make Jerusalem a capital of Palestine as well, diminishing Jewish claim to their land.” We should strongly oppose that for biblical reasons. When President Trump moved the Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, that was a strong public statement that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Period. 

For the record, Jerusalem is mentioned approximately 600 times in the Hebrew Scriptures and approximately 200 times in the New Testament, for a total of 800.

Let me ask you a question: How many times is Jerusalem mentioned in the Koran? Answer: Zero. Case closed.

NO WEST BANK; CALL IT SAMARIA AND JUDEA

Secretary of State Pompeo’s comments this past week addressed not Jerusalem, of course (which has been addressed), but the profoundly important issue of the land around Jerusalem, often called the “West Bank,” meaning the west side of the Jordan River. 

Some clarification is needed. First of all, there is no such thing historically as the “West Bank.” That phrase is a modern “invention.” Don’t use that phrase even though recent maps (wrongly) do.

The Bible has a name for that land: Samaria and Judea . (The word “Jews” came from the fact that this group of people lived in “Judea” thousands of years ago.)

But for years, various nations and leaders have demanded that that which is rightfully the land of the Jews be chopped up and given to the “Palestinians” (a word the Romans created in 70AD from the word Philistines). 

For the record, the Jews don’t “occupy” the land. They own it. For the record, these are not Jewish “settlements” (as if on someone else’s land), so don’t use that word. These are legitimate Jewish communities, towns and villages. Perhaps in another newsletter, I can outline the horrific abuses that Jewish residents have suffered in Samaria and Judea. 

This past week – finally – the US has rightfully recognized that the Jews have a right to live in Samaria and Judea. It is important to remember that Israel is a fraction of 1% of the land in the Middle East. You would think the Jews could be left to live freely on 1% of the land and others could be content with the remaining 99%!

And also important to note : To be pro-Israel is not to be against the “Palestinian” people. God loves all people! All! But the Palestinian Authority (PA) is the great abuser of both the Jews and even the Palestinian people! It is important to make a distinction between the Palestinian people (whom God loves) and the corrupt, murderous and terroristic PA.