Jerusalem Mayor Responds to BBC's questioning of Jerusalem as Israel’s
Capital

23/7/12 - In response to the BBC's decision not to refer to Jerusalem on its
2012 Summer Olympics' website as the capital of Israel, but rather "the seat
of government…though most foreign embassies are in Tel Aviv" Jerusalem Mayor
Nir Barkat issued the following statement:

"Throughout the history of Jerusalem, with over a dozen conquerors, only the
Jewish people have called the Holy City of Jerusalem our capital. Jerusalem
today, under Israeli sovereignty, has returned to the role it played
2000-3000 years ago. There is unprecedented freedom of movement and
religion and the world is welcome and encouraged to enjoy the beauty and
majesty of Jerusalem."

"We will not accept those who deny our history, our sovereignty, and our
right to determine our own capital. Irrespective of the BBC's political
agenda, Jerusalem was, is, and will always be the capital of Israel and the
spiritual, political, and physical center of the Jewish people."

For additional information, contact: Barak Cohen, Spokesman, Jerusalem
Municipality. +972-2-629-6391 or barak@jerusalem.muni.il