Maxim, Jews have ascended to the Temple Mount since it was liberated in 1967. Most Jews will not go there because there has been a rabbinical decree forbidding it. However, not every rabbi agrees with this decree; and not every Jew agrees with this decree. There are Jews who want to pray where our ancestors prayed on the Temple Mount. Some groups of religious Jews have prayed on the Temple Mount more than one time in the past years since its liberation. Before the liberation of the Old City of Jerusalem, Jews could pray at a very small part of the Western Wall. I have seen pictures of this narrow corridor. Since I was born after the War of Independence and I did not go to Israel until 1968 for the first time, I can only rely on photographs of that time. You may wish to research what I have said here on your own to verify what I have stated.

 

 

Congressman Cantor, In a very short period of time you eloquently described several facts in regards to what can happen with the MAD concept of dividing this beautiful beloved city and how dare we suggest dividing a Land that belongs to the Jewish people? May the Holy One of Israel comfort and protect His people!! I wish to visit the Holy City again but in one piece please. Beloved Jewish people i stand with you

 

 

Two things about Yoel's post confuse me. I thought that Jews who don't go onto the Temple Mount make that choice out of respect in relation to the site of the Holy of Holies which exists within the mount at its current level. Second, not being familiar with Jerusalem before June 1967, where was the small portion of the Western Wall to which Jews had practical access between the time of the Jordanian ethnic cleansing and the liberation? Personally, I do believe that Israel is entitled to its sovereignty over a united Jerusalem and is the only guarantee of freedom of religious expression in Jerusalem for all faiths. It should also exercise that power to diminish that of negative influences, principally the Waqf. Anyone sane has doubts about Olmert's personal mandate to negotiate over anything to do with Israel's security, but regarding Abbas as a negotiating partner is equally dubious. If the Palestinian government had implemented the first stage of th Road Map, then one might regard it as negotiating in good faith and consider its interests, too. But it didn't. If one saw it as a strong government with good intentions, then one might make, at the right time - and now is far too early - one or two visible but limited concessions, even on the eastern boundaries of Jerusalem, to save the government's face on the "street". But Abbas plays his poker with a weak hand, making aggressive demands just in order to sound strong. So Israel has no negotiating partner on the Palestinian side, either. Which leaves us with the US State Dept and the rest of the world. Are they entitled to speak of that artificial concept (even Arafat admitted it) known as the "Palestinian nation"? Only the Jordanians are, I believe, on the basis that they constitute an "Arab" state, i.e. not a Jewish one, within the boundaries of mandated Palestine, even though the actual creation of Transjordan was illegal under the terms of the Mandate. They and Israel already recognise each other. But because that can create problems for the Hashemite dynasty that the British imported from Saudi Arabia, it requires great incentives that will boost Jordan's stability, prosperity and influence THROUGH positive co-operation with Israel. Re-focus Tony Blair. Forget "Palestinian" institutions, develop Jordanian ones. Apologies that so much of this is off-topic.

 

 

Never divide Jerusalem! This land belongs to the Jew's forever, just as God promised in His Holy Word! Are you related to the young man: Dr. Cantor that is at the Liberty University in Virginia? If so then you must be a wonderful man! Betty

 

 

Eric Cantor is an awesome Congressman, one with integrity and that is rare. He is my Congressman and I am praying for him and his protection. It is not a popular stand that he has taken. I ask all of you to join me in praying for his protection.

 

 

Thank you Congressman Cantor for speaking up for Jerusalem. Your speech resonates with the true character and meaning of Jerusalem to the Jerwish people, to Israel, and to the Free World. I would add that One Jerusalem is a mandatory condition for not only Jews and Christians, but for Muslims as well. With the stability of Jerusalem comes freedom for all to pray at her holy sites, with the exception of The Temple Mount. That truly if Judaism's holiest site, and yet Jews are routinely not allowed to pray there. These facts have only been in existence since Jerusalem was liberated in June 1967. Before then, Jews could pray on a sliver of land adjacent to a small portion of the Western Wall. Now more than ever, the safety, security, and freedom of a united Jerusalem under Jewish sovereignty must be maintained in order to ensure its place as the capital of Israel as well as its accessibility to all those who wish to visit, pray, and study there in peace.