ISRAEL - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Sunday evening, marking 50 years since the reunification of Jerusalem, saying the city had been "liberated," not "occupied," and that the Western Wall and Temple Mount would forever remain under Israeli control.
Thousands were present for Netanyahu's speech and the celebrations at the walls of Jerusalem's Old City. The event was attended by President Reuven Rivlin, the Prime Minister and Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev.
"Fifty years ago, we didn't occupy, we liberated; by the heroism of our warriors and the love of our people, Jerusalem was liberated," said Netanyahu. "I say to the world with a clear voice: Jerusalem was and always will be the capital of Israel. The Temple Mount and the Western Wall will always remain under Israeli sovereignty."
According to Netanyahu, despite Jewish connection to Jerusalem "that shines like the sun at noon, there are those who choose to deny this obvious connection and brazenly paint us as strangers in our land."