Israel celebrated the 28th anniversary of Jerusalem's unification. Mr.
Rabin used this opportunity to reiterate his government's stand on the
issue of Jerusalem, and stated that Israel is the sovereign, the official
ruler in united Jerusalem without ignoring the civil rights of others. The
statement was made at the start of the weekly Cabinet session. The Cabinet
later adopted a resolution to that effect.
Good morning, Members of the Cabinet, Mayor of Jerusalem.
Today is the 28th anniversary of Jerusalem's reunification during the
Six-Day War. The government of Levi Eshkol decided, in June 1967, to
extend Israeli law to united Jerusalem.
In 1980, the Knesset passed the Jerusalem Law. All governments of Israel,
including the present government, have been fully confident that what was
determined in 1967, what was legislated in 1980 transforming Jerusalem
into a unified city under Israeli sovereignty, the capital of Israel, the
heart of the Jewish people - these are facts that will endure for
eternity.
All governments of Israel have taken upon themselves the commitment to
respect the sanctity of Jerusalem, for other religions as well, and all
governments of Israel have preserved - and this government will continue
to preserve - freedom of religion, and freedom of access for members of
other religions to their holy sites.
The government's effort is, obviously, to maintain a set of relations for
the development of Jerusalem - I refer to united Jerusalem, in accordance
with the decisions of the government and the Knesset - for the benefit of
all the city's residents. I think that, alongside the great accomplishment
of the IDF fighters in two wars - the War of Independence and the Six-Day
War - who determined Jerusalem's fate, its reunification and its status as
the capital of Israel, it is our obligation to continue building Jerusalem
for the good of all its residents.
We are the sovereign, we are the official rulers in united Jerusalem - and
as a Jewish state, we must also be tolerant, and we must also ensure the
civil rights of all people living in united Jerusalem.
Next year, we will celebrate the 3000th anniversary of Jerusalem's
establishment. These celebrations relate to Jerusalem's past and, above
all for the Jewish people and the State of Israel, to Jerusalem's
reunification - but without ignoring the fact of its sanctity and of its
status as a very important city also for members of other religions, and
for its non-Jewish residents.