A moment that defined history: During the Six-Day War, Lt. Gen. Mordechai "Motta" Gur, who at the time commanded the 55th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade that fought in the streets and hills of Jerusalem, drew a map tracing his troops' advances in the besieged city as they moved to liberate it. Now, in commemoration of Jerusalem Day, this map is being revealed to the public for the first time ever.
Public Relations consultant Zvi Vilder, who is also a collector of artifacts and documents pertaining to Israel's history, is for the first time unveiling a document he purchased in a public auction -- the unique map drawn up by Gur during the battles to liberate east Jerusalem in 1967.
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Gur drew his map of the battles in a notebook in which he also jotted detailed descriptions of the events, including the pitched battles for the fortified Police Academy and Ammunition Hill, the breakthrough into the Old City through the Lions' Gate and the soldiers' route to the Western Wall and the location where Gur finally declared over the radio: "The Temple Mount is in our hands."
Gur gave the map as a gift to an American donor as a symbol of appreciation for his contributions. Gur's wife, Rita, confirmed in writing that the document was authentic.
Vilder said: "My love for Jerusalem knows no bounds and I'm thrilled every time I visit the city. This document is a historical certificate symbolizing the unification of the city, and every time I look at it I get shivers down my spine."
Vilder added that "it's almost certain that Motta Gur drew more maps of the battle for Jerusalem, but as someone who has attended the majority of the public auctions, I haven't seen an item such as this put up for sale. I've been an admirer of Motta ever since he commanded the battle for the liberation of Jerusalem."
Over the years, Motta Gur has become one of the figures most identified with the liberation and unification of Jerusalem. His successful command of the 55th Brigade, the relentless battles he led to free the Old City and Western Wall, helped propel him through the army's ranks until he was named the IDF's 10th chief of staff in 1974.
Following his four-year sting as IDF chief, Gur turned to a career in politics. He was elected to Knesset in 1981 as a member of the Labor party and served as the health minister. In July 1995, after suffering from a terminal form of cancer, he took his own life in the yard outside his home.
