I5: 50 Years of Israel

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June 7, 1967

Day 3 of this war brings about one of the greatest victories in the history of our army.

Nineteen years ago, when I was last in the Old City of Jerusalem as a young soldier, we were forced out in despair and bitter disappointment, as our enemies divided our holy city. This time we entered through the stone arch of Lions' Gate. It was 10:00 hours when we got the order to storm through into the Old City. Picking off snipers on the roofs of the houses, we raced our jeeps along the road leading to the Temple Mount and down the Via Dolorosa to a second arch. This one was blocked by a damaged tank, so we abandoned our vehicles, climbed over the deserted tank, and continued on foot.

Within seconds we were within sight of the Mosque of Omar, blinded by the beauty of the golden Dome of the Rock set against the brilliant blue sky. From there to the Kotel - the Western Wall - was only a short distance. Men pushed forward quickly over the paving stones, as if thrust forward by an incredible force. Hearts were pounding faster than ever; the panting breaths of my fellow soldiers becoming heavier and louder. We were one of the first groups to arrive at the small winding stairs that would lead us to the Wall. The Western Wall! Last remnants of the Holy Temple. No Jew had stepped there for nearly two decades and now we were being carried along there by a rising tide of soldiers, our feet barely touching the ground. I could feel the excitement of the hundreds of dirty, sweating, paratroopers, their uniforms stained with blood and ripped by barbed wire, as we crowded into the narrow rectangle in front of the Western Wall…. A spectacle of legend.

Trembling with excitement and overwhelming emotion, hardened men who had been fighting for two solid days without knowing what the outcome would be, kissed the ancient stones and wept out loud with no shame. Jerusalem has been reunited; we have returned once more to the holiest site in our history.

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