Washington, D.C. – 37 legislators from 19 countries, including Costa Rica, have delivered a letter to Yuli Edelstein, the Speaker of the Knesset, addressing to the people of Israel on Yom Yerushalayim, or Jerusalem Day, which is an Israeli national holiday commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem and the establishment of Israeli control over the Old City in the aftermath of the June 1967 Six-Day War. Jerusalem Day was celebrated on June 6.

Signers include Chairmen, Members and supporters of the Israel Allies Caucuses in each of these capital cities. The letter begins by extending a congratulatory message “from our capitals to yours” on the 49th anniversary “of the reunification of Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel” and goes on to “affirm the importance of Israel’s sovereignty and legal rights to its historic capital.” It reads as follows:

Speaker of the Knesset
MP Yuli Edelstein
Jerusalem Day 2016

Dear Mr. Speaker,

From our capitals to yours, we, the Chairmen, Members and supporters of Israel Allies Caucuses in the U.S. Congress and in Parliaments around the world, congratulate all inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Jewish people and the Nation of Israel on the 49th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel. Happy Jerusalem Day!

Jerusalem Day serves as an important reminder that only under Israeli control has the rights of all ethnic and religious groups to enjoy the city’s religious and cultural sites been preserved.

Three thousand years of the Jewish people’s connection to Jerusalem, and the Israeli government’s track record of allowing freedom of worship for all religions in Jerusalem, compels us to affirm the importance of Israel’s sovereignty and legal rights to its historic capital.

We join with the peace-loving citizens the world over in wishing Israel a peaceful and prosperous year.

Signatories included Senator Ted Cruz from the United States, Member of Parliament David Burrowes from the United Kingdom, and Legislator Karla Prendas from Costa Rica. Legislator Prendas is a representative from Puntarenas, and she is a member of the National Liberation Party (Spanish initials: PLN), a political powerhouse in Costa Rica.

In terms of diplomacy, Costa Rica and Israel enjoy strong relations despite our country’s recognition of Palestine as a territory that should be given sovereign rights.