Intro to ‘Jerusalem Gold’ Press Release
John R. Houk, Editor
Sent from Ari Bussel
Posted on May 24, 2017
Fifty-years ago from June 5, 1967; three Arab armies
mobilized on the Israeli border itching for yet another shot to destroy the
Jewish State. This is significant because the Six-Day War of 1967 returned
the whole of Jerusalem to its Jewish heritage. On June 7, the IDF entered
Eastern Jerusalem.
Ari Bussel sent me a press release that the Jewish community
in the Los Angeles area will have a Jerusalem Remembrance Day commemorating the
return of the City of David back to Israeli sovereignty.
Here are some relevant excerpts on the 1967 Arab
mobilization and Israel’s response at the Jewish Virtual Library:
…
…
Israel repeatedly protested the Syrian bombardments to the UN Mixed Armistice Commission,
which was charged with policing the cease-fire, but the UN did nothing to stop
Syria’s aggression — even a mild Security
Council resolution expressing “regret” for such incidents was
vetoed by the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, Israel was condemned by the United
Nations when it retaliated.
While the Syrian military
bombardment and terrorist attacks intensified, Nasser’s rhetoric became
increasingly bellicose. In 1965, he announced, “We shall not enter Palestine
with its soil covered in sand; we shall enter it with its soil saturated in
blood.”(4)
…
Syria’s
attacks on Israeli kibbutzim from the Golan Heights finally
provoked a retaliatory strike on April 7, 1967. During the attack, Israeli
planes shot down six Syrian fighter planes — MiGs supplied by the Soviet Union.
Shortly thereafter, the Soviets — who had been providing military and economic
assistance to both Syria and Egypt — gave Damascus false information alleging a
massive Israeli military buildup in preparation for an attack. Despite Israeli
denials, Syria decided to invoke its defense treaty with Egypt and asked Nasser
to come to its aid.
Countdown
to War
On
May 15, Israel's Independence Day, Egyptian
troops began moving into the Sinai and massing near the Israeli border. By May
18, Syrian troops were prepared for battle along the Golan Heights.
Nasser
ordered the UN Emergency Force (UNEF),
stationed in the Sinai since 1956 as a buffer between Israeli and Egyptian
forces after Israel’s withdrawal following the Sinai Campaign, to withdraw on
May 16. Without bringing the matter to the attention of the General Assembly (as his
predecessor had promised), Secretary-General U Thant complied with the demand. …
…
The
Blockade
On
May 22, Egypt closed the Straits of Tiran to
all Israeli shipping and all ships bound for Eilat. This blockade cut off
Israel's only supply route with Asia and stopped the flow of oil from its main
supplier, Iran.
…
King Hussein of Jordan signed a defense pact with Egypt on May 30.
Nasser then announced:
The
armies of Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon are poised on the borders of
Israel...to face the challenge, while standing behind us are the armies of
Iraq, Algeria, Kuwait, Sudan and the whole Arab nation. This act will astound
the world. Today they will know that the Arabs are arranged for battle, the
critical hour has arrived. We have reached the stage of serious action and not
declarations.(13)
…
The
Arab rhetoric was matched by the mobilization of Arab forces. Approximately
465,000 troops, more than 2,800 tanks, and 800 aircraft ringed Israel.(15)
…
Israel
decided to preempt the expected Arab attack. To do this successfully, Israel
needed the element of surprise. Had it waited for an Arab invasion, Israel
would have been at a potentially catastrophic disadvantage. On June 5, Prime
Minister Eshkol gave the order to
attack Egypt.
…
On
June 5, 1967, Israel was isolated, but its military commanders had conceived a
brilliant war strategy. The entire Israeli Air Force, with the
exception of just 12 fighters assigned to defend Israeli air space, took off at
7:14 a.m. in Operation Moked (aka Operation Focus) with the intent of
bombing Egyptian airfields while the Egyptian pilots were eating breakfast. By
11:05 a.m. 180 Egyptian fighter planes were destroyed. Defense Minister Moshe Dayan was not planning to attack Syria until the
Syrians attacked Tiberias and Megiddo. Israeli fighters
subsequently attacked the Syrian and Jordanian air forces, as well as one
airfield in Iraq. By the end of the first day,
most of the Egyptian and half the Syrian air forces had been destroyed on the
ground.
… On June 9, at 5:45
a.m., the head of Southern Command informed the chief of staff: “IDF forces are on the
banks of the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. …
…
Jerusalem
Is Attacked
Prime
Minister Levi Eshkol sent a message to King Hussein on June 5
saying Israel would not attack Jordan unless he initiated
hostilities. When Jordanian radar picked up a cluster of planes flying from Egypt
to Israel, and the Egyptians convinced Hussein the planes were theirs, he
ordered the shelling of West Jerusalem. It turned out that the planes were Israel’s
and were returning from destroying the Egyptian air force on the ground.
Hussein's
decision changed the course of the war. Israel counterattacked. …
At
6:15 a.m. on June 7, Dayan ordered the encirclement of the Old City and instructed the
army to enter. Israeli paratroopers stormed the city and secured it. At 10:08
a.m., according to the army diary, a message was received, saying, “The Temple Mount is in our
hands and our forces are by the [Western] Wall.” … [Bold Text Editor’s]
…
After
just six days of fighting, Israeli forces were in a position to march on Cairo,
Damascus, and Amman. By this time, the principal objectives of capturing the
Sinai and the Golan Heights had been accomplished, and Israeli political
leaders had no desire to fight in the Arab capitals. Furthermore, the Soviet
Union had become increasingly alarmed by the Israeli advances and was
threatening to intervene. At this point, U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk
advised the Israelis “in the strongest possible terms” to accept a cease-fire.
On June 10, Israel did just that.
… READ ENTIRETY (The Six-Day War: Background & Overview; Sourced
from Mitchell G. Bard; Jewish Virtual Library;
source © 2008)
I don’t know if you realize
it, but Israel acquiring portions of their heritage in 1967 is not only of
historical significance, it is also of Biblical significance. I can’t pinpoint
the Judaic significance due to a bit of ignorance on my part. However, the
Christian prophetic perspective points to another sign the Last Days are around
the corner and the soon return of Jesus the Christ to restore the full
Redemption not only of humanity but also a restoration of the whole earth.
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first
heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then
I, John,[a] saw
the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a
bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud
voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with
men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself
will be with them and be their God. 4 And
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death,
nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have
passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make
all things new.” And He said to me,[b] “Write,
for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21: 1-5 NKJV)
Below is the slightly edited
press release sent by Ari Bussel which includes a few photos sent as well.
**************
Jerusalem of Gold
The official Los Angeles celebration of the 50th
Anniversary of the Reunification of Jerusalem
Press Release Sent by Ari Bussel
Sent 5/22/2017 12:13 AM
June 7th, 2017, 7:30PM
Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles
In 2017, and for the past 50 years, there is only one place
in the entire Middle East and the African continent where freedom of religion
is paramount, and people as well as holy sites flourish, as they are protected
by law and by practice.
This place is Jerusalem, Israel’s capital from
Biblical to present times. For two thousand years, the Jewish people yearned to
return to their homeland and to the holy city of Jerusalem.
Here, Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test
of his loyalty to God the Almighty; Jacob dreamed of the ladder with angels
ascending and descending; King David conquered the city and made it his
capital, bringing the Ark of the Covenant here; His son King Solomon built the
First Temple, a magnificent marvel; the First and Second Temple were then
destroyed, but a portion of the Western Wall remains to this very day; and here
is where Jesus walked in the Way of Suffering, Via Dolorosa, was crucified and
then resurrected.
The Prophet Isaiah instructed and highlighted (66:10): “Rejoice
with Jerusalem and be glad with her, all who love her!” the city "Jerusalem
that is built as a city which is joined together” (Psalms 122:3) and
which is remembered and constantly highlighted “If I forget you, O
Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning, let my tongue cleave to the
roof of my mouth if I remember thee not, if I set not Jerusalem above my
chiefest joy” (Psalms 137:5-6).
It is in this spirit, 50 years to the date from when the
Israeli flag was raised over the Temple Mount, that Christians and Jews and
other minorities will gather and declare:
There is no other place like Jerusalem, Jerusalem of
Gold, the City of God!
Throughout the Middle East and Africa Christians and other
minorities are being raped, sold to slavery, executed en masse (including
Muslims in the hands of other Muslims) and murdered, and holy places (churches,
mosques, etc.) are desecrated, burned to the ground and destroyed. Jerusalem
is the only place where freedom of religion and protection of religious rights
and institutions is by law and practice.
Jerusalem is the only place that for the past 50
years church bells can be heard, as well as the Muezzin call to prayer. Jews
walk freely, living their daily lives side by side other minorities. Jerusalem
is the only place in the entire region and beyond where the Christian population
experiences a net positive growth; where minorities feel safe and welcome.
This is the theme being highlighted, under the banner “The
City of Angels Saluting the City of God.” A unique evening celebrating a Jubilee
of humanity flourishing.
##
For any inquiries, please contact Norma Zager, (323)
397-8752.
Among relevant questions are:
* What is unique about
Jerusalem?
* What is unique about
2017?
This year marks
* the 120th anniversary of the
First Zionist Congress in Basel,
* the 100th anniversary of the
Balfour Declaration,
* the 70th year of the UN Partition
Plan,
* the 50th anniversary of the Six
Day War,
* and 50 years for the
reunification of Jerusalem.]
* What are the connections
between LA and Jerusalem?
* Why should one care?
1) Please include information about Jerusalem of
Gold in your calendar of upcoming events. RSVP can be done
to jerusalemofgoldforall@gmail.com.
2) If you wish to write an article about the various
milestones this year (vis-a-vis Israel and Jerusalem), or maybe about
anti-Semitism today and re-living the 1930s, the spread of radical Islam or
what is happening in the Middle East, and how is it all relevant for us here in
the Greater Los Angeles area and in the USA, or if you are simply interested in
Jerusalem and/or Israel, we are available provide background as well as
pertinent, detailed. information.
Of particular significance during the event will be a
recognition of Holocaust Survivors still with us and making a vow never to
forget them.
You may want to place a small “CALL FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS:
to be honored during the upcoming Jerusalem of Gold event.
Please submit Survivors’ names to Vera Markowitz, (310) 276-7494."
3) Please sign up to participate and let your colleagues,
friends and family know:
Signing up is extremely easy. Just click on the
Eventbrite link:
4) If you intend to cover the event, please let us know.
Israeli diplomats will be there to welcome the guests, as well as faith
leaders, elected officials and diplomats. Jerusalem of Gold promises
to be a most interesting event.
SHALOM!
I was there
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