Page - 143 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 06/01

blessing to the entire world through her innovations in medicine, technology and energy. But most of all, Israel has blessed this world by pointing us to you, the one true God through the message of her prophets, the scriptures and the messiah.46 The nation of Israel in the Bible is equated here with the contemporary state of Isra- el, and the “blessing” that the ancient Israel would be to the world is put on a level with the technical innovations of the modern Israel. The Israel of today is presented as God-given and beneficial, and thus legitimized. Kushner in turn describes Israel as a blessing: Israel proves every day the boundless power of freedom. This land is the only land in the Middle East in which Jews, Muslims and Christians and people of all faiths participate and worship freely according to their beliefs. Israel protects women’s rights, freedom of speech and the right of every individual to reach their God-given potential. These are the same values that the United States cher- ishes. These are the values that bind us together. These are also the values that have made Israel one of the most vibrant nations in the world. This tiny popula- tion has spurred advancements in technology, medicine and agriculture, making the world a healthier, safer and more prosperous place. These are the blessings we hope Israel can one day share with its neighbors.47 Kushner points to liberal-democratic values like religious freedom, women’s rights and freedom of speech, which make Israel an island of freedom in the dark seas of the Middle East, a land that prospers because God loves it. The United States must support Israel as part of its own mission from God, evident in their similar values. Finally, we turn to the representation of the relocation itself. Almost all the speakers emphasize that Jerusalem is undoubtedly the capital of Israel and that consequently the relocation of the embassy is a recognition of general truth and a reality. “Truth” is a repeated theme across these speeches. For example, Zalman Wolowik, an Orthodox rabbi from Long Island (fig. 6), draws a picture of the un- changing truth that is the eternal connection of Jews with Jerusalem. In a next step, this “truth” is connected to a hope for peace: Peace is ingrained in the marrow of Jerusalem, but the prophet Zachariah said: “You must love truth and peace” Peace, Shalom, is the inseparable sister of 46 TIME 2018, (00:14:17–00:14:52). 47 TIME 2018, (00:47:19–00:48:06). 142 | Hannah Griese www.jrfm.eu 2020, 6/1, 127–151