Just hours ahead of President Trump’s first state visit to Israel, the Land of Israel Network kicked off celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Judea with the public unveiling of their new international headquarters in the heart of the ancient Jewish homeland.
Liberated on June 5th 1967, the first day of the Six Day War, the eastern Gush Etzion region near Bethlehem celebrates the anniversary of its liberation two days before Jerusalem, which was secured on June 7th.
The event, organized by Rabbis Ari Abramowitz and Jeremy Gimpel, was planned prior to the scheduling of President Trump’s visit to Israel.
“We didn’t plan this event to coincide with Trump’s arrival,” Rabbi Abramowitz explained, “This is a celebration of one of the greatest miracles in Jewish history – the Six Day War. While we commemorate the return of Jerusalem, our national soul, Judea is our nation’s heart. And now as global condemnation and pressure is strategically focused on Judea and Samaria we must take to the hills and send a very clear message to the world – there is nothing more natural than a Jew in Judea.”
“We chose this date to inaugurate our international headquarters in the hills of Judea because the 50th year is not only a historic milestone, but a spiritual one,” said Rabbi Gimpel. “On the Jubilee year, a shofar is blasted declaring freedom throughout the Land. This Sunday night we will be sounding the shofar declaring one powerful truth – Jews will live in freedom in Judea.”
Located in the Judean hills south of Jerusalem, in the heart of King David’s kingdom, the design of the Land of Israel Network’s new headquarters serves as a reminder of the area’s historical importance to the Jewish people.
A castle-like fortification sharply contrasting with the surrounding caravan communities, the headquarters is built of the very Judean stones upon which it stands.
“We are sending a message that the age of rickety caravans has come to an end. Our meter thick Judean stone walls reflect the eternal roots with which we are connected to this land. As Trump visits Masada, a Jewish fortification 2,000 years old, our Center will stand for at least 2,000 years to come.” Gimpel asserted while gazing from the building's window at Masada in the distance.
Last week, Arutz Sheva visited the new headquarters for a firsthand look at the impressive new structure, situated in the hills above the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea to the east.