Page - 141 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 06/01

Netanyahu draws a clear connection between biblical history and current events and ascribes them the same status. The religious reference here consists in the first place of an allusion to biblical history. The Bible and its authority are deployed to load Jerusalem in a certain way; the aligning of current events with the biblical Je- rusalem endows them with the same authority. The eternal connection of the Jews with Jerusalem is emphasized, legitimizing their possession of the city. That “Je- rusalem” is not necessarily the earthly Jerusalem, for the archaeological evidence casts doubt on the linkage, but rather the heavenly Jerusalem, which is a central longing in Judaism. The equation of the earthly Jerusalem with that heavenly Jeru- salem ensures the latter becomes the rightful object of desire, and a rightful pos- session, in turn. We turn to the portrayal of the United States, Israel and the alliance between them. The United States is explicitly presented as powerful and its position at Isra- el’s side is emphasized, as we see in the speech given by Jared Kushner, President Trump’s representative in the Middle East (fig. 4), presidents before him have backed down from their pledge to move the Amer- ican embassy, once in office, this president delivered, because when President Trump makes a promise, he keeps it. But today also demonstrates American Fig. 4: Kushner, U. S. Opens New Embassy In Jerusalem After Trump’s Decision To Recognize Capital (TIME 2018, 00:43:43). 140 | Hannah Griese www.jrfm.eu 2020, 6/1, 127–151