Jerusalem's Modern History Continued

For many years, a group of Americans, dubbed Christian Zionists, have espoused the restoration of the nation of Israel, including Jerusalem as its capital city.  They advocate the immigration of more Jewish settlers to the Holy Land.

Reportedly, Christian Zionists raise tens of millions of dollars per year in support of their cause and have a strong lobby with the US government including former Vice President Pence.  They believe their cause is in accordance with Bible prophecy and will set the stage for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the Battle of Armageddon, and the Millennium.

In 1980, Israel proclaimed Jerusalem its eternal, undivided capital.  While Jerusalem was the seat of Israeli government, all national embassies were located in or near the coastal city of Tel Aviv.  Consequently, on May 14, 2018, Israel's 70th birthday, the US closed its embassy in Tel Aviv and opened a new embassy in Jerusalem.  By doing so, the US officially endorsed Jerusalem as Israel's capital city.

Breaking News, September 22, 2025

"There is accelerated, Israeli settlement building across the West Bank and East Jerusalem."

Prime Minister Netanyahu reacted to the sudden increase in recognitions of the State of Palestine by Canada and other nations by saying, "A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River."

One of "the main sticking points" in a two-state solution is "naming Jerusalem as a shared capital".  That is, a divided capital by which East Jerusalem would be the official capital city of a Palestinian state.

Special Notes:  In the Old Testament, Canaan was the name of the land promised to Abraham and his descendants.  It referred to the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.  The Canaanites were defeated by Joshua during his conquest of Canaan.  As a result, the tribes of Israel occupied the land between the northern city of Tyre (Sur) and the southern city of Raphia, west of the Jordan River.  Notably, Raphia is on the southern border of Gaza Strip.  

The strict interpretation of Palestine is "The Land of the Philistines" who inhabited the coastal plain east of the Mediterranean Sea and south of the city of Joppa in ancient times.  Palestine was later applied to the land occupied by the twelve tribes of Israel which included Canaan as well as Gilead and Bashan, regions along the east side of the Jordan River.