‘God’s promise is eternal’: PM Netanyahu, Marco Rubio & Amb Huckabee inaugurate ‘Pilgrimage Road’ in Jerusalem’s City of David

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ambassador Mike Huckabee inaugurated the Pilgrimage Road, the ancient street leading to the Temple in the time of Jesus, in Jerusalem’s City of David on Monday.

The 2,000-year-old road had served pilgrims ascending to the Temple from the south, and had been excavated in a lengthy and controversial process, as the around 600-meter-long route runs underneath houses in the Arab-majority neighborhood of Silwan, in east Jerusalem.

After years of excavation and construction, the route was opened end-to-end on Monday.

Incredible event @cityofdavid w/ @IsraeliPM @SecRubio as we were first in 2000 yrs to go from pilgrimage road to Temple Mount. pic.twitter.com/JPtskqIhF7

— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) September 16, 2025

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office said that the joint visit was among the high points of Rubio’s “very successful and important visit” to Israel.

“This was an event of historical and cultural importance for the Jewish People. Prime Minister Netanyahu noted at the event that it attested to the city being ours and that it would never be redivided, nor would there be a Palestinian state,” the PMO stated.

“I welcome today Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who understands that this is the foundation of our shared Judeo-Christian heritage,” Netanyahu said, according to Channel 12.

“This heritage is being challenged today. It is challenged by a growing Islamist force. It is challenged by the alliance between the Islamists and the radical left. Both deny our heritage; both deny our right.”

“And they are applying heavy pressure on European and other leaders, whose knees are shaking, by proposing that we abandon Jerusalem… This is our city. It is our city forever. It will never again be divided, and there will not be a Palestinian state,” Netanyahu declared.

Jerusalem’s Pilgrimage Road Unveiled

PM Netanyahu, US Sec. Rubio, and Amb. Huckabee open Jerusalem’s ancient Pilgrimage Road, linking Siloam Pool to Temple Mount. US and Argentina recognize City of David as a heritage site, affirming Jewish ties to Jerusalem.

👇Good Speech👇 pic.twitter.com/K27wHraxKo

— Eli Goldman | אלי גולדמן (@EliGoldmanx) September 16, 2025

Before traveling to Israel, Rubio had dismissed criticism of his visit to the City of David, which is located outside the internationally recognized boundary of Jerusalem.

“It’s one of the most important archaeological sites in the world,” Rubio stressed.

“I understand people want to involve politics in it. I understand everything in this region is political to some extent. But at the end of the day, it’s an extraordinary archaeological site.”

Rubio and Huckabee, both men of deep and public faith, were visibly moved in their remarks on Monday, while standing on the underground road.

Rubio emphasized that the United States was founded on the principle that the rights of mankind “come from its creator.”

“For it was here that God fulfilled his promise to his people. It was here that the lessons that form the base rock in the foundations of our laws, the principles upon which we decide what is right and what is wrong, were built upon.”

“For deep inside of us, we all know that we were created for a purpose, and for a reason. That our dignity comes from our creator. We deeply believe, in our country, it was on a principle from the God of Abraham. I can stand here today on the very road, where, not 2,000 years ago, so many from everywhere ventured to fulfill that desire to be closer to the creator.”

Rubio noted that all other civilizations that conquered Jerusalem are gone. “But one people remained. They have returned,” Rubio said.

“For God’s promise is eternal, and it is perfect, and his word is always true. And I'm honored to be a part of its fulfillment here with you today.”

Huckabee read out the words of Psalm 137, “If I forget you, O Yerushalayim,” using the Hebrew pronunciation of the city.

“The Jewish people never forgot that this was their land, their home,” said the ordained Baptist pastor.

“Tonight, the stones are crying out. The crowds may say it, but the stones absolutely and 100% validate that the Jewish people not only belong here now, but they have belonged here for 4,000 years since the time God said to Abraham, ‘this is yours’,” Huckabee said.