This treasure of real estate does not need an endorsement from anyone, least of all a nation that shows little regard for Jerusalem’s peace. In fact her residents do not care that much either. David took steps after being crowned in Hebron to live in Jerusalem and house his families there. The political moves of an American president in 2019 do nothing to Jerusalem’s status.

Great nations have gone to Jerusalem but few have joined the Jews in worshipping Yahweh. When the city was emptied there was some export of Jewish religion and Jerusalem remained the beloved centre of Jewish hopes and practice. In neither case was any foreign power trying to change Jerusalem from being the place for Yahweh’s name.

The tombs of Judah’s kingdom are in Jerusalem. The living residents of Jerusalem have much to live up to. The attempt to deny Jerusalem her cosmopolitan nature endures as the ultimate unfaithfulness. She has troubles no foreign or local power can relieve. The news that the US president is moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is a case of smoke without fire, and the smoke smells like patriotism and racism.