Commander's Speech To the Regimental Formation on the Temple Mount
Colonel Mordechai Gur, June 7, 1967
Paratroopers, conquerors of Jerusalem!
When the Temple Mount was conquered by the Greeks it was liberated by the Maccabbees. The "Kanaim" and Bar Kochva fought against those that destroyed the Second Temple.
For 2,000 years the Temple Mount was off limits to the Jews.
Until you, the paratroopers, came and returned it to the bosom of its people. The Western Wall, towards which every Jewish heart beats, is again in our hands.
Many Jews risked their lives, over our very long history, to come to Jerusalem and to reside in it.
An infinite number of wistful poems have expressed the profound desire for Jerusalem that beats in every Jewish heart. During the War of Liberation incredible efforts were made to reclaim the heart of the people - the Old City and the Western Wall.
To you has fallen the great privilege to complete the circle, to give back to the people its eternal capital and its sacred center.
Many paratroopers, our finest and most veteran comrades, fell in this terrible battle.
It was a rapid and ferocious battle. In it you functioned as one body that crushed anything that stood in your way without concern for your own injuries.
You did not gripe, you did not complain, you did not report, you just advanced and conquered.
Jerusalem is yours - forever.
