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Netanyahu and Likud on the Mount of Olives: We Didn’t Reach Jerusalem In Order to Return It

On Benjamin Netanyahu and top level Likud members’ tour of the Mount of Olives and the City of David, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of a united Jerusalem, its connection to the Jewish people in the land of Zion, and his own personal connection. On top of the Mount of Olives Netanyahu stated: “Here, behind me, my grandmother and grandfather, of blessed memory, are buried. On this mountain, Menachem Begin, of blessed memory, is buried. This place means a lot to me and to my friends. We didn’t come here to divide it, we didn’t reach Jerusalem in order to give it back,” he announced.

A long line of Likud Knesset members and candidates stood by Netanyahu’s side, “Everyone knows that only Likud will ensure a united Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the reason that Shas didn’t join the government that Tzipi Livni tried to build,” pointed out Limor Livnat. “She agreed to all of their financial requests, but she wouldn’t guarantee that she would maintain a united Jerusalem.

“For 3,000 years, this place has been the capital of the Jewish people, for 2,000 years we fought in order to return and to re-establish our rule,” said Netanyahu during the visit to the City of David. “We didn’t return to Jerusalem to dissect it, we didn’t unite Jerusalem to re-divide it.”

“A people that respects itself doesn’t divide its capital, and a rational people doesn’t give its territory to its enemy. Where is Jeremiah’s Cave located?” Netanyahu asked. “Right here,” answered their guide, pointing to the metal cover next to Netanyahu’s leg. “We closed it in the meantime, but we plan to open it again the near future.” Netanyahu smiled and turned toward the foreign journalists who asked him to translate their conversation. Netanyahu explained with a further description of the Jewish people’s long relationship with Jerusalem and its covenant.