A special celebration was held on Monday evening at Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem to commemorate 58 years since the liberation and unification of Jerusalem. This annual event marks the historic occasion of the Jewish people’s return to the Holy City during the Six Day War.

The ceremony was attended by Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, head of Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav; Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion; rabbis, judges, public figures, and a large audience from across the country. Speeches were delivered by city rabbis, chief rabbis, Rabbi Shapira, Mayor Lion, ministers, and public figures.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized in his speech at the rally the goals of the State of Israel in the war, “Our goal is to achieve a complete victory over our enemies; to bring back our brothers and sisters, the hostages; to topple Hamas’s rule; and to ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”

He referred to the current war as “the war of resurgence on seven fronts,” adding: “This is a war of good against evil… a war for spirit, for values, for meaning, for the righteousness of our path, for Jerusalem!”

Netanyahu stated that the enemies of Israel understand the importance of Jerusalem: “In every house in Gaza, our soldiers saw pictures of Jerusalem. They understood all the more that the goal of those who seek our lives is to dispossess us from the inheritance of our forefathers. We, of course, will not let that happen!”

Later in his speech, the Prime Minister connected the vision of Rabbi Kook with that of Ze’ev Jabotinsky and his grandfather, Rabbi Nathan Mileikowsky: “My esteemed friends, looking back, the close ties forged between Rabbi Kook and Rabbi Mileikowsky—and Jabotinsky—these ties foreshadowed the long-standing connection between Religious Zionism and my movement (the Likud movement). Together we want to do great things for the benefit of the entire people of Israel.”

Yeshivat Mercaz Harav, founded by Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, has been a central institution for celebrating Jerusalem Day, reflecting a deep connection to the city’s spiritual and historical roots. The yeshiva hosts the central ceremony annually in honor of Jerusalem.

Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, who is hosting the ceremony, shared: “The Ramchal writes that the Western Wall is the foundation of Israel’s redemption. Therefore, the return to the Western Wall since its liberation began a new period in Israel’s redemption. Our event is to celebrate another step toward complete redemption, praying for the safety of IDF soldiers and the return of the hostages.”