Addressing a Jerusalem Day event at Ammunition Hill yesterday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon stated that Jerusalem would never be compromised and the capital would remain undivided and under Israeli control, forever.
The following is a translation of the Prime Minister's speech:
"It has been thirty-six years since there were barbed-wire fences in Jerusalem. The city is no longer strewn with minefields. No longer does the enemy watch us and spew fire from behind the city's walls and towers. Rather than a threatened and divided city, Jerusalem is a united, splendidly built, lively and vibrant metropolis, which has regained its glory. The State of Israel owes this all to its heroic warriors. The price was heavy and extremely painful. However, the Jewish people can marvel at the wondrous fulfillment of the prophetic vision - dream and prayer - yearned for, for generations.
"This fortified hill on which we stand is soaked with blood. In the late hours of that terrible night, the ditches and crevices of this battlefield were engraved into the glorious history of Israel. Ever since then, and forevermore, shall this place be a blossoming garden, an oasis of memory. Never again shall it know fire. Never again shall the enemy set foot in it.
"The State of Israel had no desire for war. The Government of Israel spared no effort in attempting to resolve the crisis by political means. The Arabs' fervor, arrogance and inflamed passions prevented any such resolution. Israel's destruction was their heart's desire. Israel was forced into an inescapable war - a war of salvation.
"The liberation and unification of Jerusalem was the historic, crowning achievement of the entire campaign. On that day, the signal was given. The paratroopers and soldiers of the Jerusalem Brigade stormed the Old City, scaled the Temple Mount and placed their hands on the stones of the Kotel. It was a time of release and elation, almost unparalleled in the history of Israel, and resonated in every Jewish heart. It was a time which will never be forgotten.
"Thirty-six years have gone by, and still, we must guard Jerusalem. We are engaged in an unrelenting battle against cruel terror, the purpose of which is to undermine our hold on the city. However, Jerusalem is more protected now than it has ever been. Jerusalem is protected by a wall of love -built by the People of Israel over generations, wherever they may be. It is protected by the dedicated I.D.F. soldiers and commanders, police, border police and members of the security forces. It is protected by the clear and unequivocal commitment and policy of the Israeli Government. It is protected by the full force and power of the free and sovereign State of Israel, of which Jerusalem is the beating heart and eternal capital. We will never relinquish Jerusalem. Ever.
"Today, on Yom Yerushalyim, as we stand on this site of heroism, we remember and cherish the soldiers and liberators of Jerusalem, the chain of leadership and command who directed the campaign to victory and the soldiers who fought on all fronts. Jerusalem was in all their hearts. Jerusalem was the secret of their victory.
"'Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, have I posted guardians; all the day and all the night, continuously, they will never be silent,' said the prophet. As Prime Minister of Israel, I am proud to have the privilege of being the keeper of the unique, united and eternal Jerusalem. I intend to uphold the sanctity of this commitment, and I am certain that this sacred commitment will forever be upheld by the People of Israel."
The following is a translation of the Prime Minister's speech:
"It has been thirty-six years since there were barbed-wire fences in Jerusalem. The city is no longer strewn with minefields. No longer does the enemy watch us and spew fire from behind the city's walls and towers. Rather than a threatened and divided city, Jerusalem is a united, splendidly built, lively and vibrant metropolis, which has regained its glory. The State of Israel owes this all to its heroic warriors. The price was heavy and extremely painful. However, the Jewish people can marvel at the wondrous fulfillment of the prophetic vision - dream and prayer - yearned for, for generations.
"This fortified hill on which we stand is soaked with blood. In the late hours of that terrible night, the ditches and crevices of this battlefield were engraved into the glorious history of Israel. Ever since then, and forevermore, shall this place be a blossoming garden, an oasis of memory. Never again shall it know fire. Never again shall the enemy set foot in it.
"The State of Israel had no desire for war. The Government of Israel spared no effort in attempting to resolve the crisis by political means. The Arabs' fervor, arrogance and inflamed passions prevented any such resolution. Israel's destruction was their heart's desire. Israel was forced into an inescapable war - a war of salvation.
"The liberation and unification of Jerusalem was the historic, crowning achievement of the entire campaign. On that day, the signal was given. The paratroopers and soldiers of the Jerusalem Brigade stormed the Old City, scaled the Temple Mount and placed their hands on the stones of the Kotel. It was a time of release and elation, almost unparalleled in the history of Israel, and resonated in every Jewish heart. It was a time which will never be forgotten.
"Thirty-six years have gone by, and still, we must guard Jerusalem. We are engaged in an unrelenting battle against cruel terror, the purpose of which is to undermine our hold on the city. However, Jerusalem is more protected now than it has ever been. Jerusalem is protected by a wall of love -built by the People of Israel over generations, wherever they may be. It is protected by the dedicated I.D.F. soldiers and commanders, police, border police and members of the security forces. It is protected by the clear and unequivocal commitment and policy of the Israeli Government. It is protected by the full force and power of the free and sovereign State of Israel, of which Jerusalem is the beating heart and eternal capital. We will never relinquish Jerusalem. Ever.
"Today, on Yom Yerushalyim, as we stand on this site of heroism, we remember and cherish the soldiers and liberators of Jerusalem, the chain of leadership and command who directed the campaign to victory and the soldiers who fought on all fronts. Jerusalem was in all their hearts. Jerusalem was the secret of their victory.
"'Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, have I posted guardians; all the day and all the night, continuously, they will never be silent,' said the prophet. As Prime Minister of Israel, I am proud to have the privilege of being the keeper of the unique, united and eternal Jerusalem. I intend to uphold the sanctity of this commitment, and I am certain that this sacred commitment will forever be upheld by the People of Israel."