The unveiling of the full Pilgrimage Road in Yerushalayim has brought to light a historic treasure unseen for 2,000 years, uniting ancient Jewish heritage with modern significance.
This ancient roadway, stretching from the Pool of Shiloach to the base of the Har HaBayis, was inaugurated on Monday in a landmark event. Among those present were Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and other international representatives, underscoring both the archaeological and political weight of the moment.
The attendance of Secretary Rubio and Ambassador Huckabee was especially meaningful as the ceremony coincided with America’s 250th year of independence. Organizers highlighted how the values born in ancient Yerushalayim later influenced the principles that shaped the American nation.
Back in October 2020, the United States officially designated the City of David as an American Heritage Site, declaring that the ideals of liberty, justice, and recognition of the Divine that emerged from this place are essential to the character of both America and Israel, and to the bond that connects the two countries.
That decision has since motivated others, with Argentina’s President Javier Milei announcing in June 2025 that the City of David would also be honored as an Argentinian Heritage Site. His move reinforced the timeless and universal nature of the values embedded in the City of David.
By joining the event, Secretary Rubio and Ambassador Huckabee also reinforced America’s stance on Yerushalayim as Israel’s eternal capital and recognized the City of David as a key foundation of the moral and spiritual ideals linking the two nations.
Rubio reflected during the ceremony, “The United States was founded on a powerful idea, defined not by geography, ethnicity, or anything else. It was founded on the very powerful principle that the rights of mankind come from their creator.”
He continued, “It was here that God fulfilled his promise to his people. It was here that the lessons that formed the base rock and the foundations of our laws, of the principles upon which we decide what is right and what is wrong, was built upon. If you think about the things that today we, in civilized societies, use as rules to govern us, these things did not come because good people wrote them. They came because they were rooted in ancient teachings. For deep inside of us, we all know that we were created for a purpose and for a reason, that our dignity comes from our creator.”
Rubio added, “To stand here today on the very road, where not 2,000 years ago, so many from everywhere ventured to fulfill that desire to be closer to the creator, is a humbling and honoring experience. As you go through the layers of history, you realize that all the civilizations that conquered this city, all the ones who tore it down and built on top, are all gone. The Roman Empire is no more, nor any of the others that sought to conquer and rule this land. But one people remain. They have returned. For God’s promise is eternal, and it is perfect, and his word is always true. And I’m honored to be a part of its fulfillment here with you tonight.”
Ambassador Huckabee invoked the famous words, “If I forget you, O Yerushalayim, may my right hand forget its skill,” before declaring, “The Jewish people never forgot that this was their land, their home, their undivided, indisputable indigenous capital from eternity. Tonight the stones are crying out. The crowds may say it, but the stones absolutely and 100% validate that the Jewish people not only belong here now, but they have belonged here for 4,000 years since the time God said to Abraham, ‘This is yours.’”
He continued, “And it is shouting from the top of the mountain that this is indeed the eternal home of the Jewish people, the Jewish state, and the people who rightly belong here. Tonight the rest of the world comes to say, ‘Welcome home, and may no one ever, ever attempt to take your home from you. It is yours.’”
Huckabee also said, “And those of us who are not Jewish, we thank you for giving all of us a foundation of morality and decency and civilization upon which our own faith is built, for without yours, we don’t have one.”
Netanyahu, recalling the age-old prayer, stated, “Next year in Yerushalayim, next year in Yerushalayim, it didn’t matter if you were in the ghetto in Toledo or the ghetto in Warsaw, that’s what Jews prayed for. Next year in Yerushalayim. Well, we’re here.”
Directing his remarks at Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Netanyahu declared, “This is our city, Mr. Erdogan, it’s not your city, it’s our city. It will always be our city. It will not be divided again. And that’s why I so much appreciate the leadership of President Trump in this area as well. When he declared Yerushalayim our capital, something that should have been acknowledged by every leader in the world, but he did it, and then moved the American embassy here, he called me up before he did it. He asked, ‘What do you think? Would there be riots? Would there be bloodshed?’ I said, ‘I don’t think so, but if there will be, it’ll be primarily directed at us, and we are definitely ready.’ So he just did it. And I welcome today the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who understands that this is the foundation of our common Judeo-Christian heritage. It is being challenged today.”
Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu said, “This is our city. It is forever our city. It will never be divided again. Am Yisrael Chai, and Yerushalayim lives in our hearts. Thank you.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
Well done. 2 compassionate. bright men, not enslaved to any ism. Quite a challenge to keepthe ism-ists at bay. In pictures of the gents at the Wall, Rubio’s glow outsined everyone else’s. Sweet surprise.