NCYI Statement To Secretary of State Rice
National Council of Young Israel President Shlomo Z. Mostofsky, Esq., made the following statement today in response to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's recent critique of the Israeli government for constructing additional Jewish homes in East Jerusalem:
"The National Council of Young Israel is extremely disturbed by the readiness of Secretary of State Rice to heap criticism on Israel for its plans to build additional housing for its citizens, within the boundaries of its own capital city. Israel has the right to build in its capital, wherever and whenever she chooses. The Secretary of State must realize that as the eternal capital of Israel, the holy city of Jerusalem cannot and will not be divided. In fact, the United States Congress has recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and has acknowledged that the U.S. should move its embassy there. Yet, despite the assurances of President Bush, the embassy has not yet been moved, and the recognition of Jerusalem as the indivisible capital of Israel is being repeatedly challenged by Secretary of State Rice.
While we commend Secretary of State Rice for endeavoring to achieve peace in the region, it is critical that she comprehend the significance of Jerusalem to the Jewish nation and understand the fact that Jerusalem must be taken off of the bargaining table. Any proposed agreement that would tear the heart and soul out of the Israeli people and the Jewish nation is wholly unacceptable and would be strongly condemned. The National Council of Young Israel's position is that there can be no division of Jerusalem at any time, under any circumstances."