"Jerusalem of Gold" (Hebrew: ירושלים של זהב, Yerushalayim Shel Zahav) is a popular Israeli song written by Naomi Shemer in 1967. The original song described the Jewish people's 2000-year longing to return to Jerusalem; Shemer added a final verse after the Six-Day War to celebrate Jerusalem's re-unification, after 19 years of Jordanian occupation.
| Jerusalem marks 49th anniversary of historic reunification |
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat: "Despite the difficult year that the city has had, Jerusalem and its residents have proven what true strength is and what a Jerusalemite is" • Police, parade organizers work to avoid potential clashes ahead of Ramadan.
Efrat Forsher and Yori Yalon
Jerusalem is celebrating 49 years since its reunification under Israeli sovereignty with a number of ceremonies and events going into Sunday evening.
The official state ceremony for Jerusalem Day will take place at the Ammunition Hill memorial site. Six torches will be lit in memory of those killed in the battle for Jerusalem. Those lighting the torches will be representatives of bereaved families and of the brigades that fought in the battle. Speakers at the ceremony will include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Reuven Rivlin and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.
Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev said of Jerusalem Day: "Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, is marking 49 years since its reunification. This is the day that we commemorate those who fell in battle to liberate it and give thanks to the heroes who reunited the city.
"We have kept guard along your walls, City of David, and we are still keeping guard. The war for your security is not yet over. We will continue to defend and safeguard you. You will always be our Jerusalem of gold."
Also on Sunday evening, there will be a ceremony at Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem, with several ministers and Knesset members in attendance.
Between the Jerusalem Day ceremonies and the memorial for the Prophet Samuel, which began Saturday night and will continue until Monday, there will be a number of road closures in the Jerusalem area.
A rise in Zionist education
The main Jerusalem Day event that has raised concern of potential clashes is the annual flag parade, in which thousand of people, mainly youth, march with Israel flags through the Muslim Quarter of the Old City. The parade ends at the Western Wall plaza, where the participants dance. In past years, there have been conflicts between the marchers and local residents, including vandalism and violence.
This year, because the Muslim holiday of Ramadan begins early this week, police made arrangements with the organizers of the flag parade to minimize the possibility of clashes on Sunday. The parade was scheduled for an hour earlier than usual so that beginning from 6:30 p.m., marchers will not be able to pass through Damascus Gate or the Dung Gate, rather only through Jaffa Gate. This is meant to allow the Muslim worshippers to easily make their way to the Temple Mount for evening prayers ahead of Ramadan.
Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Municipality released statistics about the city ahead of Jerusalem Day. According to the data published, after a decade-long drop, the last seven years have seen a rise in the number of children enrolled in Zionist schooling. The number of students enrolled in state and state-religious schools in the capital has risen from 58,607 in 2009 to 64,518 in 2016.
Since 2009, there has been a steady increase of 36% in the number of children enrolled in kindergartens among the Zionist community, from 8,656 to 11,821 in 2016.
Over the last two years, the number of startup companies in Jerusalem has doubled, from 250 to 500. At the same time, the city's negative net migration is the lowest it has been in the last six years.
"Despite the difficult year that the city has had, Jerusalem and its residents have proven what true strength is and what a Jerusalemite is," said Barkat. "We are back to the routine and to growth, and in the coming years, we will implement the 'Jerusalem 2020' plan, which will develop the city's potential and position it alongside the leading cities around the world. Happy Jerusalem Day."
