Washington told Israel that Jews seeking to legally buy homes in Jerusalem must stop. The White House claimed as Israel moves forward with building in Eastern Jerusalem, it would distance Israel from, “even its closest allies.”
A strong, rightful retort came from Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, who said:
“I say this firmly and clearly: building in Jerusalem is not poisonous and harmful – rather, it is essential, important and will continue with full force. I will not freeze construction for anyone in Israel’s capital. Discrimination based on religion, race or gender is illegal in the United States and in any other civilized country.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he “did not accept” criticism over Israeli building plans in East Jerusalem. “It is the right of Jews to buy an apartment in Jerusalem – I stand firm by my decision, there will not be a situation where Jews will not be able to buy an apartment in Jerusalem,” Netanyahu said.
Ze’ev Jabotinsky, the prescient Zionist prophet wrote in 1911 what can today be told to those who tell Jews not to live in all areas of Jerusalem:
“Instead of excessive apology and instead of turning our backs to the accusers – as there is nothing to apologize for, and nobody to apologize to – it is long overdue to respond to all current and future accusations, reproaches, suspicions, slanders and denunciations by simply folding our arms and loudly, clearly, coldly and calmly answer,’Go to Hell!'”
“I consider this system to be false at its very root. We are hated not because we are blamed for everything, but we are blamed for everything because we are not loved. We do not have to apologize for anything. We are a people as all other peoples; we do not have any intentions to be better than the rest. We do not have to account to anybody; we are not to sit for anybody’s examination and nobody is old enough to call on us to answer. We came before them. We are what we are, we are good for ourselves, we will not change and we do not want to.”
Discrimination against Jews is apparently acceptable in Jerusalem.
