embassies from Jerusalem. The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) opened its doors in 1980 "to express solidarity with Israel concerning the Knesset declaration that a united Jerusalem is and should remain the eternal capital of the State of Israel."
It said it watched at the time "with dismay" as thirteen foreign embassies withdrew from Jerusalem in protest and relocated to Tel Aviv.
"APPALLED" AT DECISION
"The nations of El Salvador and Costa Rica displayed courage and principle in subsequently returning to Jerusalem. But we are appalled by their recent decisions to once again withdraw their embassies from Jerusalem, supposedly because of the recent war in Lebanon," ICEJ Executive Director Malcolm Hedding told BosNewsLife.
In a statement he said the war would have been "a good reason for them to stay, because Israel was undoubtedly the victim of [militant group] Hezbollah’s aggression in violation of Israel’s agreement with the United Nations in the year 2000," when it withdrew from Lebanon "to internationally verified and recognized borders."
He said the ICEJ has urged governments of El Salvador and Costa Rica "to reconsider their decisions. The ICEJ affirms that it is proud to be located in Jerusalem, to speak for the interests of multitudes of Christians in this regard from all over the world and to stand with Israel."
VIEWS OF MILLIONS
Though not accredited with official diplomatic status, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem does represent "the views of millions of Christians worldwide who believe their nations should place their embassies here," he said.
He said Jerusalem has been the capital of only one people – the Jewish people – and its first ‘mayor’ was King David. "It will one day be the source of world peace," one day he said. He referred to a Bible verse, Isaiah 2:4, which says that “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”
Not all Christians and and Bible scholars agree with ICEJ. Some argue that the Jewish people
are among the twelve tribes that form the people of Israel, and say the state will eventually have different borders. (With BosNewsLife Research and reports from Jerusalem).
