The American Spectator : Jerusalem Is Real

Text Size

Jerusalem Is Real

By Jay D. Homnick on 8.18.11 @ 6:07AM

Why is most everyone -- starting with the White House and State Department -- terrified to call it Jerusalem, Israel?

Yes, I have been away. No, I am not in Israel. I am in New York, which even Jesse Jackson must admit is not quite the same thing.

Someone reminded me recently that shortly after my 20th birthday, in my first job out of college as editor of a magazine ("The Forum," now defunct) for Jewish students, I wrote a cover story entitled "Should Jews Leave New York?" The article leaned yes, and I demonstrated my sincerity by moving to Chicago before I turned twenty-one. I argued that cities are symbols, embodying estates realer than geography, and the things for which New York stood were not things a Jew should stand for. That was 1978, long before gay marriage ever got engaged.

This musing brings me, after all, to Jerusalem. Now there is a city that stands for something, or used to. The Talmud famously says: "If someone tells you that Jerusalem is built up and Rome is in ruins, you can believe him. If someone tells you that Rome is built up and Jerusalem is in ruins, you can believe him. If someone tells you that Jerusalem and Rome are both built up, do not believe him." In this reading, Rome represents decadence and Jerusalem represents virtue and not only shall the twain never meet, they cannot thrive simultaneously.

The Supreme Court is about to hear arguments in a case brought by parents who demand that the State Department list their son's place of birth as Jerusalem, Israel. Instead the policy poltroons in Foggy Bottom write Jerusalem without appending a country. I consider the suit a class action, and the State Department's as a classless action. Still, it is not technically being brought by a class; if it were, I would sign up for the course, being the father of a daughter (1982), a son (1991), and a daughter (1993) who share that designation on their passports.

Apparently, the claims of other nations, religions, and stone quarries are too powerful to allow the United States to recognize that Jerusalem is the registered trademark of a territory in the State of Israel. My other children have the United States as their places of birth, despite emerging in Illinois and Ohio (Native American territories), New York (Dutch), and Florida (Spanish). The right of the Jewish state over Jerusalem -- including the parts granted by the United Nations in 1948 -- is deemed too tenuous for our officious officialdom.

What will the highest court determine? One thing is fairly predictable: the three Jews -- Ginsburg, Breyer, Kagan -- will cower pitifully before the imaginary court of world opinion like the Jewish serfs of yesteryear. All this talk of the liberation of the modern Jew will echo hollowly against the cliffs those lemmings will jump off. Quoth those craven "Nevermore"? I think not, but I will be thrilled if proven wrong.

The Obama administration has obliged its critics with its usual witches' brew of malice and incompetence. They entered pleadings in the case which argued that such a requirement would place an undue burden on the ability of the executive branch to effectuate policy -- despite using the name of Taiwan over Chinese objections without blowing diplomacy to smithereens.

This prompted various of the Court's friends to file briefs noting that the White House's website had captioned a number of photos of Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton as being snapped in Jerusalem, Israel. The boxers in the White House found this to be captious and they hit back quickly by scrubbing the captions. Now the country housing Jerusalem is as forgotten by the leaders of this country as is its right wing.

I agree with the notion that Jerusalem is an international city, as the Bible itself declares: "For My House shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." (Isaiah 56:7) It is international in the sense that virtue is a global value. But it is international in a thematic sense only, or in a sense of being the spiritual property of all mankind. None of those aspirations can be achieved or enhanced by theft of its physical ownership.

The Jewish tradition teaches that the place named Salem when Abraham first came to the land of Canaan was later renamed Jerusalem. Salem comes from the root Shalom, meaning peace, and the Jeru- comes from Yirah, meaning both "vision" and "awe." The merged appellation teaches that awe of the exalted must precede peace, and that the vision of peace will eventually bring about its reality. Peace will not emerge through the pettifoggery of petty Foggy Bottomers, nor through the whitewashing of the White House spin cycle.

My three children whose status is being adjudicated are proud Americans with passports that take them on any road in the world but the one that leads to the simple truth. They were privileged to first see daylight in a holy place, so I imagine they will join the crier of the Supreme Court in this prayer for enlightenment: "God save the United States and this honorable court."

About the Author

Jay D. Homnick, commentator and humorist, is a frequent contributor to The American Spectator. He also writes for Human Events. Here he performs his original composition, "Buy You (Bayou) a Drink".

Letter to the Editor View all comments (79) | Leave a comment

Herb| 8.18.11 @ 6:43AM

"If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, may my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, may my right hand forget its cunning..."

And that's what Foggy Bottom has been doing since oh, say 1948.

Alan Brooks| 8.18.11 @ 9:01PM

"Why is most everyone -- starting with the White House and State Department -- terrified to call it Jerusalem, Israel?"

Because Israel is heavily outnumbered while America is heavily in debt?

Tomas| 8.19.11 @ 7:09AM

:-)

Purpleguy| 8.18.11 @ 7:21AM

"In this reading, Rome represents decadence and Jerusalem represents virtue and not only shall the twain never meet, they cannot thrive simultaneously." - Hogwash. As is this stretch to make an issue out of a diplomatic protocol.

Appleby| 8.18.11 @ 7:31AM

Obviously you still cling to the hypothesis that anything is good if it angers your parents.

If you can read, I recommend a science fiction story called Jerusalem Fire. If you can think, it will give you fodder for same.

I recall my Daddy remarking that those who rely on international polling results to decide what exists and what doesnt would be shocked to discover that the majority of the world, if polled, would deny the existence of the State of New York.

Alan Brooks| 8.18.11 @ 9:04PM

"would be shocked to discover that the majority of the world, if polled, would deny the existence of the State of New York."

Unfortunately, a billion or so deny Israel's existence; it is the Zionist entity for them-
and such the whole point of all this.

Oldefarte| 8.18.11 @ 5:39PM

Stoop lower, the current administration is SHORT!!!!!!!

John786| 8.18.11 @ 7:34AM

A Palestinian would not get very far in Isreal trying to register their child as born in Palestine. Jeruslam is not recognised under international law as being part of the state of Isreal. But, when have international boundaries stopped the zionists. The zionist project is unwinding for those with eyes to see.

David W| 8.18.11 @ 8:58AM

International boundaries obviously don't stop Jew haters (or is that Judeophobes).

John786| 8.18.11 @ 9:08AM

So stating international boundaries now makes you a Jew hater. zionists especially of the christain variety are the real anti-Semites. Oh, the irony of it all. Appologies, to Americans I know irony is not your strong point.

Oldefarte| 8.18.11 @ 5:41PM

Was your father's name by chance ADOLPH?????

Tomas| 8.19.11 @ 7:08AM

"zionists especially of the christain variety are the real anti-Semites."

You're going to have to explain this one, Einstein.

Dan Hirsch| 8.18.11 @ 10:04AM

Well, international boundaries certainly haven't stop the Islamicists or the Communists, either!

Dan Hirsch| 8.18.11 @ 10:05AM

John786,

Are you really that bad at spelling?

Paul Kotik| 8.18.11 @ 12:14PM

Betcha John786 is under the age of 15...

Ken (Old Texican)| 8.18.11 @ 5:12PM

Yes John (Muhammed) is that bad at spelling. He is an illiterate Palestinian.

John786| 8.18.11 @ 11:49PM

Hello ken. Yes I'm a supporter of palestinian rights but I'm not Palestinian. There are many ignorant supporters of Isreal who arn't Jewish. You are one of them. I hope you get raptured.

CESC| 8.18.11 @ 3:15PM

Let's see...
Israel is attacked on all sides only moments after being officially recognized by the world body (UN). While defending themselves from the agressors, they pushed the aggressors across the official border. Again in 1967, Israel is attacked without warning and they again oush back the agressors. This time they keep the land that they aquired as the spoils of war. A war they did not start or desire.
Therefore, you simple-brained islamofascist, Jerusalem is indeed the capital of Israel, whether you personally accept it or not. Facts just don't mix with your simple mind. Go back to Gaza and live in their self-created destitution .

LiveFreeOrDie| 8.18.11 @ 7:25PM

"Jeruslam is not recognised under international law as being part of the state of Isreal."

Kare to pruvide a sorce for this rubish?

Hillel| 8.18.11 @ 8:49AM

Surprisingly enough John 786 is not incorrect as we chabadniks know that the Messiah is soon coming and will straighten everything out!

JP| 8.18.11 @ 9:02AM

A few years ago it was chic to refer to Jerusalem by its Muslim name, Al Quds. I think it was John Brennnn who did it, and he was praised by all the Multi-Culti fetishists.

John786| 8.18.11 @ 9:10AM

It is always And will always be alQuds- the holy. Next year in AlQuds inshallah.

Occam's Tool| 8.18.11 @ 10:35AM

John786. Muhammed was never in Jerusalem, anus.

Oldefarte| 8.18.11 @ 5:43PM

OT, maybe there's a Jerusalem, Georgia perhaps???????

John786| 8.18.11 @ 11:53PM

Israa & miraaj you ignoramus. God gave all of Palestine to the Muslims. It says so in the holy scriptures. Touché sir.

CESC| 8.19.11 @ 11:02AM

The Old Testament precedes the koran by over a mellenium. The historical accounts, supported by relics and many other recorded accounts, make it very clear that the Lord God gave the promised land to the Israelites. Solomon's temple lies beneath the Dome of the Rock. How can a building be under a structure unless it was there first?
It is quite clear that by any historical measurement, the Jews lived in and developed the long before the mohammedites. I am sorry that historical facts are so inconvenient to a mind as limited as yours, john786.

Skippy| 8.19.11 @ 4:05PM

He's a Muslim.
You expected logic or honesty?

Jack in Wi.| 8.21.11 @ 11:43PM

Abraham was an Iraqi. He fathered both the Arabs and Jews. Joseph married an Egyptian, and was mummified in the Egyptian religion. Moses was an Egyptian married to an Arab. A Cannanite prostitute Rehab was the ancestor of David, Soloman, and Jesus. Samson liked Philistine girls.

David had a huge harem full of all kinds of ladies. Solomon had an even bigger Harem fullof women from all around the Middle East. The 10 lost tribes were never lost. They just mixed into the populations of the other surrounding tribes. Some of them became Samaritans. Ruth was a gentile women who saved a lot of Jews. Herod the Great was of Arab descent and rebuilt the Temple and built the Wailing Wall. So all those Jews are banging there heads against a wall built by an Arab.

Now the Israeli historian Sclomo Sand has written a book called The Invention Of The Jewish People. Dr Sand's book was the number 1 best seller in Israel for weeks. In this book Dr. Sand proves what every student of issue already knew. That the populations of the Middle East haven't changed much in thousands of years. By genetic and historical testing the people with the most genes closest to Abraham are the Palistinians. The Jews from the Dispora have mixed with many peoples over the centuries. It is time to sit down and make peace. The world can't carry this conflict on it's back anymore.

Oldefarte| 8.21.11 @ 2:39PM

And HE also gave the twin towers to the citizens of NYC, dumbars!!!!!!!!

Occam's Tool| 8.18.11 @ 7:05PM

In your dreams, child rapist boy.

ncatty| 8.18.11 @ 9:43AM

Mr. Homnick expects the three jewish members of the Supreme Court to support his position because they are jewish? Really?

Dan Hirsch| 8.18.11 @ 10:07AM

Liberals expect, count on, liberal justices deciding based on their liberalism.

Really, they do. Both the expecting and the deciding.

Or are you still in Oz?

Don't tread on me...

ncatty| 8.18.11 @ 10:12AM

He was not talking about liberals. Read the 6th paragraph of the article.

shoebox57| 8.18.11 @ 10:09AM

Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel. Possession is 100% of the law.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.18.11 @ 10:11AM

Obama, Democrats and Ron Paul are appeasers of Muslim jihadist and Jew haters (some are self-hating Jews).

Jack in Wi.| 8.21.11 @ 11:23PM

Obama has been owned by the Jewish branch of the chicago machine his whole politiacl life. almost all his key aides are Jewish. Liberal Jews want some kind of settlement. TGhey are sick and tired of all the antisemitism generated by rightwing nuts in Israel and the USA. As for me I say let Israel settle it's own accounts without another unconstitutional penny from the USA. Let Israel be Israel. Let the USA keep our troops and money home.

Occam's Tool| 8.18.11 @ 10:33AM

It's Jerusalem, Israel. Boy, that was tough. Next!

Mike Hawk| 8.18.11 @ 10:34AM

The Sate Dept is well suited to being located at Foggy Bottom and things being what they are, Hildebeast has one of the broadest of them.

Kingofthenet| 8.18.11 @ 10:42AM

Because THIEVES shouldn't be rewarded.

Paul Kotik| 8.18.11 @ 12:17PM

Agreed. Those bloody Arab conquerors who stormed into Jerusalem over 1,000 years after King David sat on the throne there. Thieves, they were and are. Armed robbers. They definitely should not be rewarded.

Kingofthenet| 8.18.11 @ 1:52PM

Hate to tell you there was no King David or Solomon either...

RCV| 8.18.11 @ 10:43PM

Only in modern Arab mythology ... Before the idea of a "Palestinian" nationality was invented, even Arabs acknowledged the existence and location of the Temple on the Mount.

And all Muslims would disagree with you about Solomon and David, unless Allah was lying to them in the Holy Qur'an, when he said: "We have sent revelations to you as We sent revelations to Noah and the prophets after him; and We sent revelations to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob, and their offspring, and to Jesus and Job, and to Jonah and Aaron and Solomon, and to David We gave the Book of Psalms...". Qur'an, 4:163.

Kingofthenet| 8.18.11 @ 11:35PM

Dude, there was REAL empires than(Egyptian, Greek, Roman), very advanced ones too? How come no mention of this Powerful Jewish Empire, how come not a single brick? Sounds a lot like the Moses story no?

Kingofthenet| 8.18.11 @ 11:44PM

The Egyptians ALONE have a unbroken 5,000 year old record, we have Pyramids and massive works to indicate they were a powerful Empire. But guess what no mention of this Jew Empire nearby, nor of plagues, or Jew slaves leaving. If you want to say these Jew 'Kings' were some rich goat herder, fine but PLEASE let's not call that a real KING.Why no positive excavation evidence?

Kingofthenet| 8.19.11 @ 12:47AM

What a Hebrew Army! Israel's armed might EIGHT times that of Imperial Rome!

"And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king; and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah five hundred thousand men." – (2 Samuel 24.9)

(1 Chronicles 21:5 puts the number even higher!)

Rome, at the height of its power, defended the entire empire with 28 legions of 6,000 troops.

Ron Lewenberg| 8.20.11 @ 12:17AM

Archologist have found evidence of David, or at least the "House of David" in 2900 yo inscriptions. Try again.

And which part of your argument about thieves and land would not make America illegitimate. We area settler nation with no ties to the land. The same cannot be said for Jews in Israel. So you are either an anti-American leftist or libertarian, or you are made mad by antisemitism.

PS. Antisemitism refers only to Jews. Stop proving your ignorance by ignoring the actual history of the term coined by Wilhelm Marr.

RCV| 8.20.11 @ 11:53AM

He might also take a look at the recent National Geographic article on the portion of Solomon's wall recently uncovered in Jerusalem south of the Old City.

Jack in Wi.| 8.21.11 @ 11:17PM

Hi Ron: How goes it? Jerusalem is a holy city to Jews, Christians and Muslims. The world does not recognize complete Israeli control of the city. No matter how much money passes hands in Washington the USA doesn't recognize Jerusalem as the capitol. Jerusalem should be an open city run by an international organization. Jerusalem belongs to the whole world ot just to a small group of squabbling Jewish sects.

Ken (Old Texican)| 8.18.11 @ 11:40AM

Jay,
(smile), sometimes Jewish folks are slow learners.
During the 1930s they were slow to run like hell from Hitler.
In 2008, they voted for Obama.

Oh...they missed this too. Their Messiah came, and they missed it.

Fortunately, they have one more chance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeALTHQQAWo

Kingofthenet| 8.18.11 @ 1:56PM

It's because Jews follow The Ferengi Rules of Acquisition, they feel like they can bargain with anyone with anything (Stolen property)
Hitler wasn't interested in deals.

Oldefarte| 8.21.11 @ 2:42PM

Nor was he interested in 'THOU SHALT NOT KILL' !!!!!!!!!

What?| 8.18.11 @ 1:58PM

So tell me, are you (and your kids) American or Israeli? Make a choice and live there. Immigrants are required to renounce their citizenship to other countries, so why do you Jews expect to enjoy U.S. citizenship yet also declare yourself Israeli. I'm amazed when American Jews join the Israeli military, but avoid serving for the U.S., the word treason comes to mind, but let's face it, in this country Jews always get a pass. Don't get me wrong, I have great respect for the Israeli military, they are among the best and toughest in the world. But American Jews, like the author, are two-faced opportunists that use their religion for convienience.

RCV| 8.18.11 @ 4:08PM

Please...crawl back under that rock.

What?| 8.18.11 @ 5:47PM

So mature...understandable considering the post.

I have no issue with the capital of Israel being Jerusalem. It's the idea that American Jews seem to feel they can belong to two countries when...hmmm...no one else can. Let's see, can a Canadian immigrant join the Canadian army and remain an American...I doubt it...but Jews can. Someone tell me why. what should occur is that if you join the IDF, you don't come back, because you made a choice as to which country you owe alligiance to.

Occam's Tool| 8.18.11 @ 7:08PM

Dear What?

Yes they can do that. One can also be a dual citizen of New Zealand and the US, like the Minister's nephew enrolled at West Point. Mickey Marcus was a hero to two separate countries, incidentally. And you apparently have never read about the life of John Paul Jones, have you?

Occam's Tool| 8.18.11 @ 7:11PM

RCV is Anglican, What.

RCV| 8.18.11 @ 10:18PM

And at one time I had Irish citizenship and an Irish passport because my grandparents had been born there, and it made intra-European travel easier.

RCV| 8.18.11 @ 10:21PM

Nor did I have to hide the fact that I had two passports - it was perfectly legal under US law. The US embassy in Dublin helped me get certified copies of my grandparents' Irish births.

Occam's Tool| 8.18.11 @ 7:06PM

Through yet? I'm an American, not an Israeli.

King, go ahead and support the beheaders of children.

Occam's Tool| 8.18.11 @ 7:10PM

Dear What?

Serving in the US military is voluntary. Why would serving in the IDF be treason?

Many people hold dual citizenship in many countries. I. at one time, was a NZ permanent resident AND an US citizen.

What?| 8.18.11 @ 7:36PM

What does a voluntary military have to do with this. My point is simple you join another countries military and you've violated your citizenship...unless your Jewish, then it's just fine.

You can have dual citizenship because NZ allows it..NOT the U.S.

I'm and immigrant myself and can also get dual citizenship, because my home country allows it. Not the U.S. I would have to hide the fact that I have two passports. What do you think the result would be if I joined their military? Everybody would be just fine with that? BS

Based on the responses I see, you're all OK if an Iranian immigrant joins the Iranian army, he can keep his U.S. citizenship...or Cuba, or China, or Viet Nam, or North Korea?

RCV| 8.18.11 @ 10:25PM

No, because those countries are hostile to US interests; Israel is an ally. Lots of Americans volunteered to serve in the Canadian, British and French armies before the US entered WWII, and did not lose their US citizenship. Other Americans fought in foreign battalions for the Spanish Republic (Hemingway among them) against Franco in the Spanish Civil War

What?| 8.19.11 @ 12:58AM

That was my point. The people that you cite never became Canadian, British, or French citizens. They just wanted to fight. I give up...Might as well call Israel the 51st state. It would solve so many issues.

RCV| 8.19.11 @ 11:07AM

The reality is, you just don't like Jews.

What?| 8.19.11 @ 3:19PM

Not true at all, some of my best friends are Jews. But then they aren't fake Israelis, like certain American Jews like the author who use their religion for advantage, or silly outrage.

Seems you never get my points...just go straight to calling me a "hater" as I said before, I give up.

Oldefarte| 8.21.11 @ 2:56PM

Am I included in your category '.... who use their religion for advantage, or silly outrage...' because I [as a Catholic] despise the inhumane bastardly brutality of Italy, Germany, Europe and middle eastern countries who were/are anti-Semitic in their policies and attitudes?????

Jack in Wi.| 8.21.11 @ 11:10PM

I as a Catholic hate the insane brutality of Jewish Communists. Who helped kill 50 million Christians in Eastern Europe. Before Hitler ever got a vote in Germany millions of Christians had been killed in Russia. The Jewish historian Richard Pipes has stated that Hitler was imposible without Communism. I add that Communism was impossible without Jewish Communists. They were the fire eaters of the Revolution.Communism caused a tremendous amount of antisemitism. Hitler was the blowback from Communism. Radical Zionism is causing a worldwide rise in antisemitism just like Communism did.

Oldefarte| 8.21.11 @ 3:29PM

You are incorrect in that '.....Oran's Dictionary of the Law (1983) defines treason as "...[a]...citizen's actions to help a foreign government overthrow, make war against, or seriously injure the [parent nation]." In many nations, it is also often considered treason to attempt or conspire to overthrow the government, even if no foreign country is aided or involved by such an endeavour....'; none of which you describe. Instead of 'treason', possibly the word[s] YOU should consider are ANTI-SEMETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RCV| 8.18.11 @ 4:17PM

Israel, like every nation, has the right to designate its own capital. The Knesset and other Israeli governmental offices are located in the western portion of Jerusalem, which has been part of Israel since the first day of its independence in 1948. People can argue all they want about the status of the Old City or the Jewish settlements in the formerly Arab suburbs east of the city proper -- although Israel will not, and should not, give up an inch of those areas for security reasons -- but Israel's functioning capital is and always has been in Jerusalem.