WhatsappWhen Vice President Mike Pence visited Israel, and the Western Wall of the Temple Mount, during his recent visit to Israel, it was not a normal diplomatic visit. It was the visit of an extremely close friend of the Jewish people. He made a very strong statement when he expressed his friendship to the indigenous population of Israel, the Jewish people.
VP Pence has been a strong friend of Israel for years. This is not because of politics, but because he is a man of deep faith and a believer in the Bible.
His visit to Israel was the first visit ever by a US administration that truly believes in Israel’s right to our homeland. Why? Not because of what happened in the Holocaust or 1948, but because of what happened 3,000+ years ago.
As one who has spent his life studying the Bible, and continuing to attend weekly Bible classes in the White House, VP Pence is one of the few world leaders who deeply believes in the Bible, and the Jewish connection to the Land of Israel.
The Vice President visited the Western Wall of the Temple Mount and placed a note in the Wall, as is customarily done, and then said a brief prayer.
VP Pence was escorted to the Western Wall by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovich (Rabinowitz), Chief Rabbi of the Western Wall and Director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation Mordechai ‘Soli’ Eliav.
“Here, right above us, on the Temple Mount, King Solomon built the Temple,” Rabbi Rabinovich said as he escorted the Vice President.
“We draw our strength from our deep connection to the land of the Bible and our commitment to [fulfill] the words of the Prophets.”
“It is my great honor to pray here at this sacred place,” the Vice President wrote. “God bless the Jewish people and God bless the state of Israel always.”
US VP Mike Pence at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount
Responding to questions by reporters, the Vice President said the visit to the holy site was “very inspiring”.
His visit to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount was not the only sign of his deep friendship for Israel and the Jewish people.
When he spoke in Israel’s Parliament, US Vice President Mike Pence recited the Hebrew “shehecheyanu” blessing.
Jews recite the “Shehecheyanu” blessing the first time one meets an old friend, on the first day of a holiday, or during other celebratory events. For VP Pence to recite this Jewish blessing is a huge sign of the deep friendship he has for Israel and the Jewish people.
“In April, we will celebrate 70 years since Israel’s independence,” Pence said. “As you prepare for this historical event, I stand here with the Jewish nation and say, ‘Shehecheyanu v’kiyamanu v’higiyanu lezman hazeh (Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has given us life, sustained us, and allowed us to reach this day).'”
Strong Message
He also said, “Thanks to the President, the relations between our countries are stronger and deeper than ever. I am here to bring you a message from the American people: American stands with Israel.”
“We stand with Israel, because your values are our values, and your fight is our fight. We stand with Israel because that is what Americans have always done.”
“It is a great honor for me to be in Jerusalem, Israel’s capital city,” Pence said. “We are at the start of a new era, in which we will discuss how to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians.”
When asked in an interview if VP Pence is a good friend of Israel, Lenny Ben David, who served as a senior Israeli diplomat in Washington for many years, expressed it the best of all :
