MICHAEL MEDVED

On Jerusalem: Denying Reality, Ignoring History

Dec 7, 2017, 1:20 PM

Jerusalem...

President Trump holds up a proclamation to officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. (AP)

(AP)

President Trump described his acceptance of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as “nothing more than a recognition of reality.” This is exactly right: since the rebirth of the Jewish state 70 years ago, Jerusalem has been the seat of Israeli government and the nation’s leading cultural institutions.

Pretending that this status is temporary is like pretending that Israel itself is temporary – the key delusion that’s kept the Palestinians in a perpetual state of self-destructive violence. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas declares that “Jerusalem will be Palestine’s capital forever,” but when’s the last time Palestinians controlled the holy city? Jordan held East Jerusalem before 1967, and before 1948, Britain ran the whole city. Ottoman Turks held Jerusalem for 300 years from 1516 to 1918. In fact, Palestinians never controlled the holy city.

The only times in 3,000 years of history that Jerusalem has been capital of a country, that nation has been a Jewish state. Denying current realities is dangerous, but ignoring history can be even worse.

Michael Medved on AM 770 KTTH
  • listen to michael medvedTune in to AM 770 KTTH weekdays at 12pm for The Michael Medved Show.

Michael Medved

Gaza attacks...

Michael Medved

Medved: The sad, ‘crazy’ tale of a Gaza water park, and Hamas’ war against fun

After barely three months of operation in 2010, the dream of a fanciful facility to attract tourists and delight locals lay in ruins.

6 months ago

2024 presidential debate...

Michael Medved

Medved: Will 2024 be the year of crucial political debates on TV?

It’s not difficult to imagine either Biden or Trump uttering some inaccurate or incoherent combinations of words that could undercut any momentum.

6 months ago

medved populism...

Michael Medved

Medved: GOP heading to irrelevance as party fails to embrace demographic changes

The spreading speculation about a new civil war isn't based on regionalism this time, but on distinctions in education and identity.

7 months ago

biden...

Michael Medved

Medved: How Biden learned money misdeeds can hurt most of all

The doomed example of "Tricky Dick" demonstrates the way that financial wrongdoing and personal enrichment can upset the public more than sex scandals.

7 months ago

Trump...

Michael Medved

Picking the right running mate could powerfully boost Trump’s prospects

It’s impossible to forecast who Donald Trump will pick as his running mate for the upcoming election of 2024, but it’s safe to say who he won’t select.

8 months ago

trump campaign...

Michael Medved

Medved: Can a new Trump victimhood campaign win back the White House?

Facing more than a half-dozen hostile legal proceedings before next year’s presidential election, can Donald Trump mount an effective campaign?

8 months ago

On Jerusalem: Denying Reality, Ignoring History