As recently as the mid 1940s, Jerusalem existed in Iowa just east of Beaman. The town was inhabited by Bill Rouse, and the “General Store of the town was called New Jerusilum.” About one fourth mile south of Beaman, where Bruce Gard later lived was a small store called Guadalupe. Across the road from the store stood a blacksmith shop on a hill. Directly south was the log cabin built by George and Elizabeth Walter after they arrived July of 1855. Nearby, there was also a post office and a lumber mill (the post office was in Wadaloup). Then, when Beaman was in- corporated in the 1870’s by H.H. Beaman, the settlement disbanded. The main reason Jerusa- lem was abandoned was due to the corning of the railroad through the area in 1876; the first railroad (the wooden rail) was built in 1876. Wil- liam Dayton was the first Chicago and Northwestern Railroad agent. The fires of 1889 and 1900 destroyed most of the buildings on the west side of main street. Now, none of the original buildings are left, which would be all that remains of the site. Similar to Hard Scramble, New Jerusilum, later recorded as New Jerusalem, is only a memory, barely mentioned deep within the records of Iowa history. But on the other side of the world, Jerusalem Day is celebrated in the Hebrew month of Yesb, which corresponds partly with the Western month of May. In Yesb, Israelis commemorate the successful outcome of the six-day war, when Israel took over Jerusalem. Yesb is also the month that pertains to the glory of Israel, which holds great significance with King David. It is by Jerusalem that the Jewish faith is represented. It is by Jerusalem that Judaism grows within its people, expanding like water expands wood. Iowa’s Senator Chuck Grassley greatly respects Israel’s history, tradition, and faith, and he opposes President Biden’s recent threat to block the supply of American weapons to Israel if Rafah is invaded, acknowledging the threat as a contradiction to Biden’s previous promise of support. Grassley reiterates the close bond between America and Israel on his website (a bond far stronger than in name only), stressing that America was the first to recognize the new state of Israel. Senator Grassley stated, “This is a complete reversal from the promise President Biden made to Israel in the aftermath of Hamas’ horrific October 7 attack. Biden swore Israel would not be alone in this fight. Now, he’s making a politically-oriented decision to turn his back on our greatest ally in the Middle East. “Since October, the Israeli military has taken necessary actions to respond to the violence instigated by Iranbacked Hamas terrorists, while working to minimize the collateral deaths of civilians. Make no mistake: if Hamas had not invaded Israel on October 7, there would be no deaths today. “President Biden should learn from the lessons of the past. The United States was the first country to recognize Israel, and our relationship has for decades played an important role in U.S. national security. Israel is a strong democracy and a homeland for the Jewish people. We must always stand with them.” Senator Grassley calls Israel America’s most trusted ally in the Middle East. In Israel’s hour of need, Grassley made a joint statement with his Republican colleagues in an effort to make clear the fact that terrorism must be eradicated. In their statement, the senators additionally warned those who may use Hamas’ tactics in attacking America: “any threat to the United States will be pursued and suppressed swiftly, forcefully and to the fullest extent of U.S. justice.” Senator Joni Ernst, also a Republican, joined him in urging President Biden to secure the safe release of the American citizens who have been taken hostage by Hamas; also they urged the United States, to “provide the necessary resources for Israel’s defense, and continue offering whatever support necessary to immediately and safely rescue kidnapped Americans, with particular attention to those who require urgent medical care.” Grassley also joins colleagues who condemn, “the United Nations’ inaction regarding Hamas’ widespread sexual violence against women in Israel. The senators called on UN Secretary-General António Guterres to open an independent investigation into Hamas’ use of rape and sexual assault as ‘weapons of war,’ and provide support to the Israeli survivors of sexual violence.” Additionally, Grassley staunchly reaffirms U.S. support of Israel’s right to defend itself, and will not stand for any other lawmakers’ interference in Israel’s democratic electoral process. He supports supplemental military aid to Israel, which also includes replenishing the Iron Dome. He has also urged President Biden to strongly oppose the International Criminal Court’s threat to use arrest warrants and other tactics against Israel simply for defending itself. Senator Green of Boone County has additionally affirmed strong support for the state of Israel in a February resolution. Green is among the lawmakers who signed an ALEC Legislator Letter affirming support for Israel and condemning Hamas in January of this year.
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