As blue-and-white flags flutter and joyous celebrations fill Jerusalem's streets, the city whispers a poignant question: "What have you done for me?" Beyond nostalgia and towering skyscrapers, Jerusalem demands action. Behind the anthems and parades lies a stark reality: the city is under strain. Illegal construction encroaches from all sides, the Jewish majority is dwindling, and the authorities tasked with safeguarding its sovereignty are faltering. On this 58th Jerusalem Day, it's time to forge a bold, enduring vision for the city's future.
Jerusalem is more than a physical place; it is the heartbeat of Jewish identity, a beacon of hope for every Jew, whether they've walked its streets or only dreamed of them. For centuries, Rabbi Yehuda Halevi's timeless poem, "Zion, will you not ask?" has captured the unyielding longing of Jews in exile: "Those who cling to your hem, striving to ascend and grasp the branches of your palms." These words embody the pain of displacement, the yearning for return, and the hope of renewal. Jerusalem Day is not just a celebration of the city's physical liberation but a recommitment to its role as the spiritual and national capital of the Jewish people.
Yet celebration alone is not enough. Jerusalem Day must be a call to action, a moment to build a vision that is both ambitious and practical, not just for the coming decade but for the next half-century.
At the core of this vision is the preservation of Jerusalem's Jewish majority. The city faces a demographic crisis, exacerbated by soaring housing costs that drive young families away. Without urgent measures, Jerusalem's Jewish character risks fading. The residency status granted to East Jerusalem Arabs, which includes benefits like freedom of movement and national insurance, incentivizes their permanent presence in the city. This, coupled with rampant illegal construction, over 25,000 unauthorized structures, predominantly in East Jerusalem, threatens to reshape the city's future. If left unchecked, these trends could erode the Jewish majority within a generation.
The dream of a "Greater Jerusalem," envisioned since the days of Rabin, is slipping away. Uncontrolled construction in surrounding areas, Ramallah to the north, Eizariya and Abu Dis to the east, and Bethlehem to the south, encircles and stifles the city, limiting its growth. From above, Jerusalem appears hemmed in, its potential for expansion curtailed by a ring of illegal buildings.
The current government, with its strong mandate, must seize this critical moment. It must strengthen Jerusalem by expanding neighborhoods like Ma'ale Adumim and Atarot, enforcing building regulations within and around the city, and decisively addressing hostile entities such as UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority operating within its borders. The generations of Jews who yearned for Jerusalem through centuries of exile will not forgive us if, in this era of sovereignty, we allow the city to slip from our grasp.
A responsible vision, one rooted in Jerusalem's ancient Hebrew heritage and committed to its Zionist future, can deliver a lasting gift for the 58th anniversary of its unification: the gift of true sovereignty. Let us answer Jerusalem's call with action, ensuring it remains the eternal capital of the Jewish people for generations to come.
The author is the Jerusalem coordinator for the Regavim movement.
