Jerusalem Offers Itself as “City of Peace” Amidst Russia-Ukraine War

The walls of Jerusalem lit up with the flags of Russia and Ukraine, and an offer to mediate peace. Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

Israel continues to push itself into the middle of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, and Jerusalem is apparently itching to host ceasefire talks between the two countries. Over the weekend the flags of both Russia and Ukraine were projected onto Jerusalem’s Old City walls, along with the image of two dove and the words: “He who makes peace in his high heaven. We are waiting for you.”

The phrase “He who makes peace in his high heaven” (Oseh Shalom Bimromav in Hebrew) comes from Job 25:2. It has found its way into numerous parts of Jewish liturgy, and is always added to with a plea for God to bring His peace also upon the people of Israel:

“He who makes peace in His high heaven, may He make peace upon us and upon all Israel; and they all said, Amen.”

Jerusalem, of course, has been anything but a city of peace throughout much of its history, even after its reunification under Israeli rule. So the chance to present the Holy City as a place of mediation and peacemaking is naturally being jumped at by Israeli authorities.

A statement released by the Jerusalem Municipality at the weekend read:

“Jerusalem, the State of Israel’s capital, is a city of peace and coexistence. We are in favor of an end to the fighting and the sides reaching understandings. We would be happy to answer the request of the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and host the diplomatic dialogue between the two countries here in Jerusalem.”

פסגה רוסית-אוקראינית על חומות העיר העתיקה בירושלים, הערב 👇 pic.twitter.com/gKLpPFtLIe

— Tal Shalev (@talshalev1) March 13, 2022

Will Russia-Ukraine peace talks be held in Jerusalem, of all places? Time will tell, but if so that would be a remarkable occurrence and most certainly a “sign of the times.”