By Michael Kuttner…
What riles and upsets Israel denigrators the most?
It is the sights and sounds of building, construction and development taking place in all parts of the country and particularly in Israel’s Capital and those areas where Jews lived, prayed and worked over two millennia ago.
Every time that we are stuck in traffic or diverted onto temporary bypasses we console ourselves with the thought that not since the days of King Herod has this country witnessed such frenetic construction.
The end result will be faster trains, a multiplicity of light rail lines, better highways, cycle lanes, increased housing for our burgeoning population, more buildings dedicated to commerce, industry and high-tech and of course more green areas for relaxation and leisure.
Israel is forging ahead and one can see it on a daily basis.
JEWS RETURNING TO JUDEA
If you want to see how Judea, the heartland of Israel, is being restored, revitalized and resettled, watch this short video.
Following in the footsteps of earlier chalutzim (pioneers) who resettled the Land prior to independence and bringing the promises of our prophets to fulfillment the hills of ancient Judea are awakening to returning Jews.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z72A6Y4gzE
CELEBRATING JERUSALEM
Jerusalem Day celebrations this year went ahead despite threats of violence from our “peace partners” and disapproval from those who maintain that we shouldn’t assert sovereignty in the city that King David made his Capital.
As you can see from this video the joyous participants who walked from Damascus Gate to the Kotel encompassed all age groups, religious and secular alike.
Watch and feel the intense love for the country and its ancient Capital as we commemorated the miracle of 1967.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHGa8eehNPg
Here are some facts and figures about the city which show the amazing developments which have taken place and are ongoing since its liberation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR4JUSMCo1I
As we celebrate Shavuot (Pentecost) we are reminded of how pilgrims used to ascend to Jerusalem and make their way to the Temple.
Today, thanks to the amazing archaeological discoveries being made in the City of David excavations we can rediscover long buried evidence of this and even walk in their footsteps as the past is uncovered and restored.
With each passing year we are privileged to witness more proof of how Jerusalem was the focal point of Jewish sovereignty and how miraculously this is being restored in our own era.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NULJCEC8IB4
Michael Kuttner is a Jewish New Zealander who for many years was actively involved with various communal organisations connected to Judaism and Israel. He now lives in Israel.
[This article was originally published on J-Wire and is reproduced here with permission from Michael Kuttner.]
