FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nathan J. Diament
202-513-6484
July 20, 2009

ORTHODOX UNION APPLAUDS ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU’S DEFENSE OF JERUSALEM

Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, applauded the statements and decisions of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in defense of Jewish sovereignty over the holy city of Jerusalem.

At a cabinet meeting Sunday, the Prime Minister Stated:

… I would like to re-emphasize that the united Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish people and of the State of Israel. Our sovereignty over it cannot be challenged; this means – inter alia – that residents of Jerusalem may purchase apartments in all parts of the city… This is the policy of an open city, an undivided city that has no separation according to religion or national affiliation. We cannot accept the idea that Jews will not have the right to live and purchase in all parts of Jerusalem…This has been the policy of Israeli governments over the years and it is also the policy of our Government.

In a letter from the Orthodox Union leadership to Prime Minister Netanyahu commending him for his statements and Government’s policy, the OU leadership stated:

The Orthodox Union disagrees with the position of the United States that, like Jewish settlement activities in other areas of Judea and Samaria, Israel must not permit new Jewish residency or construction is eastern sections of Jerusalem.

We remain partners with you…for the continued preservation of Jerusalem’s unity as the Jewish people’s holy and eternal capital. Additionally we will continue our commitment to Israel and Jerusalem through our service programs at our Israel Center in Jerusalem and through our advocacy for Israel’s interests in Washington, DC.

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