Trump rally in Jerusalem
Trump rally in JerusalemYonatan Sindel/Flash90
Hundreds gathered upon the scenic terrace of the David Harp restaurant on Mount Zion to express their support for a United Jerusalem, in the wake of the UNESCO votes denying any connection to Jerusalem, and in the context of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

The event also dealt with the overtly pro-Israel and pro-Unified Israeli Jerusalem stances of Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Mike Pence. The crowd ranged from haredim to the secular. Some participants were sporting Donald Trump hats and T- shirts, bearing the Trump campaign slogan, “Make America great again.” Facing the Mount of Olives and overlooking the Biblical City of King David, it was a scene from the Bible transformed to modern times: A modern day political rally on behalf of an everlasting possession-Jerusalem.

At the gathering of mostly American Israelis, old friends met and exchanged greetings but the atmosphere was underscored by the seriousness of the coming elections. This was their chance to speak out.

There were the speakers.

Marc Zell, the co-chairman of Republican Overseas Israel which organized the gathering, called the event a “Rally for Jerusalem,” and added, “Tonight we are all united for Jerusalem.”

Marc Zell, the co-chairman of Republican Overseas Israel
Marc Zell, the co-chairman of Republican Overseas IsraelYonatan Sindel/Flash90

“Just as there is no other land (for the Jews) there are not two ‘Jerusalems,’” said Jerusalem Deputy Mayor, Chagit Moshe, who also stated that over one and a half million Jews visited the Western Wall over the holiday over the Jewish holidays last month.

“These are Troubling times. Nations are collapsing,” warned Caroline Glick of the Jerusalem Post.

Glick discussed the decline of America in the world and decried the poor leadership that America has “sided with their enemies empowering them on every level.” Glick continued, “Countries once fighting terror became the epicenter of Jihad.” Glick also cited the Iran deal and given the whole world situation stated, “This was unthinkable eight years ago. “

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, who served as Secretary of State under the Obama administration, was described by Glick as “A full partner to these policies.”

Via a huge screen, Donald Trump began his message with the words, “I love Israel.” He declared to thunderous applause in a recorded statement specifically for the event, “My administration will stand side by side with the Jewish people and Israel’s leaders to continue strengthening the bridges that connect not only Jewish Americans and Israel but also all Americans and Israelis...Together we will stand up to the enemies like Iran bent on destroying Israel and your people. Together, we will make America and Israel safe again.”

Vice Presidential candidate Governor Mike Pence, also via the big screen, spoke of Jerusalem as “that special holy place which is the eternal home of the Jewish people, adding, “Israel’s cause is our cause. Israel’s fight is our fight. Her values are our values. Israel is America’s most cherished ally in the world.”

Senior Israeli advisor to Trump, David Friedman, quoted Trump who had told him that there will be “no daylight between us and Israel.” Friedman explained that “when Israel is disrespected, this energizes the enemies of Israel. Differences must be handled discreetly.”

To rousing applause Friedman reassured the audience, “Trump will never pressure Israel to a two-state solution or any solution against the will of the Israeli public.”

Acclaimed Israeli singer Shuli Natan sang “Yerushalayim shel Zahav.” (Jerusalem of Gold).

Several speakers spoke of the contrast between Trump and Clinton who has on several occasions called for Israel to make far reaching concessions. They also mentioned her close advisor Huma Abedin, her associations with anti-Israel activist Sidney Blumenthal, her support for the Iran deal, and the ill-fated Islamic-inspired Arab Spring which occurred while she was Secretary of State.

Clinton also chose Tim Kaine as Vice Presidential candidate, who strongly supported the Iran nuclear deal and joined other Democratic members of Congress who boycotted Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s address to the US Congress opposing the deal. Clinton had also embraced Suha Arafat right after she leveled spurious accusations that Israel was poisoning Palestinian women and children.

The Israeli government has carefully avoided taking a stance on the American elections. On November 8, a decision will be made by the American people with far reaching implications for the U.S. and the world.