US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, visited the site understood to be where Jesus was baptised in the River Jordan – a poignant moment during a whirl-wind tour of Israel this week.
Pompeo, who has always been open about his Christian faith, tweeted, “Incredible visit today to Qasr al-Yahud, the site where tradition holds that Jesus was baptized. This site has immense importance for many believers, and I was pleased to see the expansion of tourism and access for visitors of all faiths.”
Incredible visit today to Qasr al-Yahud, the site where tradition holds that Jesus was baptized. This site has immense importance for many believers, and I was pleased to see the expansion of tourism and access for visitors of all faiths. pic.twitter.com/JWsfYP8wzH
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 19, 2020
The @realDonaldTrump Administration’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights demonstrates our commitment to a strong Israel. My visit to the Golan Heights made clear that the threat to Israel’s security from Iran and its proxies persists and cannot be ignored. pic.twitter.com/iaBTKBnzoe
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 19, 2020
The US Secretary of State also became the first top US diplomat to ever visit a Jewish settlement in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and similarly the first to visit the Golan Heights, which US recognised Israeli sovereignty over in March 2017. It was here that Pompeo announced a landmark decision to label products from settlements as ‘Made in Israel’ – a major shift in policy that is at odds with the EU.
It was therefore fitting that Pompeo visited a winery that had been targeted by the EU’s anti-Israel labelling policy:
‘Enjoyed lunch at the scenic Psagot Winery today,’ he tweeted. ‘Unfortunately, Psagot and other businesses have been targeted by pernicious EU labeling efforts that facilitate the boycott of Israeli companies. The U.S. stands with Israel and will not tolerate any form of delegitimization.’
Enjoyed lunch at the scenic Psagot Winery today. Unfortunately, Psagot and other businesses have been targeted by pernicious EU labeling efforts that facilitate the boycott of Israeli companies. The U.S. stands with Israel and will not tolerate any form of delegitimization. pic.twitter.com/N4oCD5IqRB
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 19, 2020
Pompeo also announced that the U.S. would brand the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanction) movement against Israel as ‘anti-Semitic’ and bar any groups that participate in it from receiving government funding.
The US Secretary of State also visited the archaeological site at the City of David and the Friends of Zion Museum.
Wonderful to see the work being done to preserve the ancient @City_of_David and the new discoveries by archaeologists working in the area. Thank you to Ze’ev Orenstein for the fascinating tour of the site of three thousand years of ancient history. pic.twitter.com/oA0FFQ3maP
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 19, 2020
Thanks to the Friends of Zion Museum for an enriching tour and continued support for U.S.-Israel relations, particularly efforts to combat BDS and anti-Semitism internationally. We share common causes of a safe, secure and prosperous Israel and a world free of anti-Semitism. pic.twitter.com/smmA3DLXK3
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 20, 2020
We call upon the UK Government to officially recognise Jerusalem is Israel's capital and move its embassy to Jerusalem.