The Rabbinical Alliance of America — Igud HaRabbonim, representing over 950 American rabbis — applauds the United States Senate on their almost unanimous, bipartisan vote to keep the American embassy in Jerusalem. Senator Jim Inhofe and Senator Bill Hagerty introduced the motion and the Senate vote took place late on February 4, 2021, with 97 Senators voting in favor of retaining the embassy’s location in Jerusalem. Only three Senators — Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Tom Carper — opposed the decision. In support of the motion Senator Inhofe stated, “[i]t’s an important message that we acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.” Inhofe further remarked that the passage of the motion, “would make the US Embassy in Jerusalem permanent, effectively preventing it from being downgraded or moved.” The Senate vote comes days after almost 100 members of the United States House of Representatives, led by Republican Congressman Andy Biggs, sent a letter to Secretary of State Blinken applauding the Biden Administration’s recognition of Israel’s claim to the holy city.
Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America stated, “it is important to note that Senators Inhofe and Hagerty overwhelming support from both their Republican and Democratic colleagues. We must further note that the Biden Administration was true to its promise not to relocate the embassy from Jerusalem. President Biden repeatedly stated that his administration has no intention to move the U.S. embassy out of Jerusalem or revoke America’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Additionally, last month now-U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his confirmation hearing, reaffirmed President Biden’s position, saying that the incoming administration has no intention of moving the U.S. embassy from Jerusalem. Blinken also emphasized that the Biden Administration would continue to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Similarly, incoming U.S. envoy to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, also declared the Biden Administrations ardent support for Israel during her confirmation hearings last month. We commend them all for their principled stance on this issue.”
Mirocznik continued, “this historic, bipartisan Senate vote in support of keeping the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and recognizing the historic claim that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, signals that American support for Israel is not and should never be a partisan issue. Israel is America’s reliable, democratic ally in the volatile region of the Middle East. Time and again, Israel has demonstrated to the world that she is a beacon of democracy in a neighborhood full of dictatorship and terror. As rabbis, we pray that this spirit of bipartisan partnership continue. We look forward to the day when true peace will reign in the Middle East.”