US, Israeli, EU lawmakers to call for united J'lem

American, Israeli, European lawmakers to take part in a rare event making the anniversary of the city's reunification.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
Israeli youth celebrate on Jerusalem day 370 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Israeli youth celebrate on Jerusalem day 370
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Lawmakers from Israel, the US and Europe will come together on Tuesday in a rare joint event to declare their support for keeping Jerusalem united as Israel’s capital.
The legislators will be connected via a video conference from Jerusalem, Washington and Brussels. The politicians will speak about Jerusalem in honor of Friday’s 46th anniversary of the city’s reunification in 1967.
The Israel Allies Foundation and its branches of pro-Israel caucuses in Congress and the EU Parliament and the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus are organizing the event.
Members of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus will be in all three locations for the event. MK Dov Lipman (Yesh Atid) will be in Congress, MK Robert Ilatov will be in the EU Parliament and caucus co-chair Gila Gamliel (Likud) will be marking the event in the Knesset.
“For both historical, biblical and moral reasons, we are committed to the unity of Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital,” said Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado), who cochairs the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus.
“Our unflinching support is especially crucial at this critical hour of turbulence throughout the region.”
Hannu Takula, the chairman of the European Parliament’s Israel Allies Caucus, said Jerusalem Day was special for him, because he helped inaugurate its annual celebration in the European Parliament seven years ago.
“It is fantastic to have this connection with our American and Israeli counterparts through the Israel Allies Foundation,” he said. “In the future, we will no doubt use modern means of communication more and more to celebrate Jerusalem as the undivided capital of the Jewish State of Israel.”
Former tourism minister Benny Elon, who is president of the Israel Allies Foundation, said the event’s political significance cannot be underscored.
“High-profile parliamentarians and congressmen in Washington, Europe and elsewhere around the world are celebrating together the historical date of the reunification of Jerusalem,” he said, “and at the same time they are trying to do their best to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem through legislation. This is big encouragement for Israel and shows how important the work of the Israel Allies Foundation is as it continues to unite politicians of faith on behalf of Israel.”