This week the nation of Israel celebrated “Jerusalem Day”, Yom Yerushalayim, marking 59 years since the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem following the Six-Day War.
Jerusalem, the “city of peace,” has been the most treasured city of the Jewish people for centuries. However, until 1967, Jews were barred from entering the city and visiting their holiest sites. When Israel miraculously won the Six Day War, Jerusalem was reunited under Israel’s sovereignty. Since then, people of all faiths and backgrounds have been able to visit their holy sites freely. This fact is largely ignored by those who accuse Israel with apartheid lies and smears.
The Bible identifies the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel yesterday, today and forever. It is mandated upon Christians to be watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem (Isaiah 62:6). Let us take position with boldness. Let us be awake, stay watchful, and warn.
We might not be in Jerusalem physically, but each one of us are called to constantly pray for the “peace of Jerusalem” and “seek [its] good” (Psalm 122, verses 6 and 9).
This weekend, there will be those on the streets of London at the pro-Palestinian march who will chant for the destruction of the Jewish state. The Bible says in Zechariah 12:2,
“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”
For the enemies of Israel, Jerusalem is a massive stumbling block, and antisemites want to heave it out of the way. When the Hamas-sympathising mobs chant, “From the river to the sea,” they are unashamedly advocating for Israel’s destruction, whilst ironically holding up “end genocide” placards. Their slanders may have evolved over time, but the anger over Israel’s ownership of Jerusalem is as old as Jerusalem itself.
Yet, history has proved that every tribe and empire that has tried to rid Jerusalem of Jews has been cut off. Whoever has touched the apple of God’s eye has suffered the consequences.
It is a “cup of drunkenness” and “heavy stone” to the nations, because God has not removed His covenanted blessing on the city that He has chosen. He has placed upon Jerusalem a mandate that is unchanging. He has grounded Jerusalem as an integral part of the promises to the nation of Israel.
This should be a “wake-up, watch and warn” moment for Britain. Thankfully, we see glimpses of what true solidarity with the Jewish people looks like, and it was exemplified by King Charles this week during his meaningful visit to Golders Green. He visited in solidarity with the Jewish community following the recent surge in antisemitism. Crowds gathered at short notice chanting “Long live the King” and others chorused “God save the King”. A member of Shomrim blessed him with a reciting of the Baruch Shechalak prayer, reserved for a meeting with a king: “Baruch shechalak mikvodo l’vasar v’dam”; “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has apportioned of His glory to flesh and blood.”
The warmth demonstrated by King Charles towards the Jewish community, and the respect shown by the Jewish community towards the King, is a stark contrast to the antisemitic voices that have been given a platform for too long in this nation. Voices that are not only anti-Israel but are anti-British. This is the country that we aspire to be once again; one that blesses Israel and the Jewish people and is blessed as a result.
