PM holds special cabinet meeting to mark J’lem Day

Netanyahu praised Jerusalem as “a modern metropolis,” before noting the city’s numerous accomplishments.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Jerusalem Day celebrations 370 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Jerusalem Day celebrations 370
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
During a special cabinet meeting at the Herzl Museum Sunday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu honored the country’s upcoming 46th Jerusalem Day, which fall on Wednesday and commemorates the capital’s reunification in 1967 following the Six Day War.
“Herzl said, ‘In Basel, I founded the Jewish state,’ and in Jerusalem we are developing the Jewish state and ensuring its future,” said Netanyahu. “There is no place more fitting from which to call on the children and citizens of Israel to come visit Jerusalem – to come to this museum to see the greatness of this man, who was one of the giants of history.”
Indeed, the prime minister credited Herzl’s “vision and strength” for rejuvenating a once scattered and profoundly victimized people.
“I think that it was his vision and his strength which breathed life into a scattered and weak people that was unable to see to its own fate, that brought us here – to a new life,” he continued. “It would be proper for every boy and girl in Israel – and the many who visit here – to understand our roots, our ties to Zion and our obligation to continue developing our land and our state for the coming generations.”
Netanyahu went on to praise Jerusalem as “a modern metropolis,” before noting the city’s numerous accomplishments.
“In recent years, there has been very strong momentum in all areas: education, culture, sports, transportation, tourism, and science and medicine,” he said. “There has been very major development in all these areas. This is exactly what Herzl envisioned.”
He added that the special meeting expressed the government’s commitment to continue the capital’s progress, in conjunction with the city’s municipality and all ministries, “in all areas, so that this change, this turning point might continue unabated.”
Jerusalem Day officially begins Tuesday night and ends Wednesday.
This year’s activities include a personal tour of MK Reuven Rivlin’s childhood home in Rehavia, an event at the Ammunition Hill National Memorial Site commemorating one of the most heroic battles of the Six Day War, as well as numerous activities on Mount Scopus.