Israel: USA Sec Rubio Speech 'PILGRIMMAGE ROAD' Celebration

On September 16, 2025 the United States Secretary of State Republican from Florida Marco Rubio speech in the celebration of the discovery of the ‘JERUSALEM’s PILGRIMMAGE ROAD’ in the city of David underneath modern Jerusalem transcript*:
 
“Thank you Prime Minister and Mr. First Lady Netanyahu for joining my wife Janette who was also been able to be a part of it and has been a big supporter and frequent visitor as well here to this such such a special project to our ambassador and Mrs Huckabee. I come on behalf of the United States of America and of our president who I spoke to about two hours ago and told him I would be visiting here who sends his highest regards and deepest admiration and congratulations on what is being celebrated here this evening.

I come as the Secretary of State of a nation that was founded 249 years ago, 250 years next year we'll be celebrating. I know that is young by your standards, but from our purposes, it's a special occasion.
 
It is my privilege to to 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 their Creator; it is a humbling and honoring experience. We deeply believe in our country that is a founding principle from the God of Abraham and Isaac.
 
The United States was founded on a powerful idea - defined not by geography, ethnicity or anything else. It was founded on the very powerful principle that the rights of mankind comes from their Creator. Now perhaps that principle today is taken for granted; but when those words were written 250 years ago, it was a revolutionary idea. Up until that point, every man, woman, and child largely that had ever lived on the earth was governed by people they did not choose and had no role in picking and over whom they had little influence. Change came not through elections or at the ballot box, but through wars and through conquest. So the idea that somehow our rights, our dignity, our value as a human being was rooted in the fact that our rights came from our Creator, that was a revolutionary idea 250 years ago. One that I believe helped change the world. But that idea did not come from the ether. It did not come from someone's imagination. It was deeply rooted in the traditions in the teachings of ancient words thousands and thousands of years that find its genesis here literally on the very spot on which I stand. For it was here that God fulfilled His promise to His people. It was here that the lessons that formed the base rock and the foundations of our laws of the principles upon which we decide what is right and what is wrong was built upon.
 
If you think about the things that today we in civilized societies use as rules to govern us. These things did not come because good people wrote them. They came because they were rooted in ancient teachings that found its genesis here. Not just in this city, but literally on the very spot on which we stand.
 
As you go through the layers of history, you realize that all the civilizations that conquered the city, all the ones who tore it down and built on top are all gone. The Roman Empire is no more, nor any of the others that s sought to conquer and rule this land. However, one people remain. They have returned. 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 part of its fulfillment here with you tonight.
 
It's an interesting thing about humanity, almost anywhere in the world you go. And there are some incredible archaeological sites around the planet. I believe none as important as this one. But it is stunning how many of these archeological sites, be they pyramids in Central America or pyramids in Egypt, not far from here, were in some ways all defined by the desire to get closer to the Divine.
 
Something is programmed in the DNA of us as creatures that yearns to be closer to our Creator.
This has been true across societies forever. But it was here where a road led God's people to their Creator. It was here that a road that led them to be as close as they possibly could, not just to the creation, the Creator of our species, but of the heavens and the earth and all the universe. And it strikes me as we stand here today to inaugurate this Pilgrimage Road, we are reminded that truly we are all pilgrims seeking our own road towards our Creator, towards the divine. 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.
 
One more thing of note, this is a fascinating city. I joke, but maybe not joke that you really I live in Miami. If you dig a couple feet, you'll hit coral rock. Here, if you dig a couple feet, you'll hit history. So much of the city was built, has been described to be almost as a birthday cake. Layers and layers of human history. And for that, we're incredibly grateful to be able to see the work that went into this project and to see not just stones, not just ruins, but from this very site to be able to touch a road and stones and the remnants of construction that give word and give life to teachings that we've heard our entire life. To be able to touch and walk upon roads and stand next to not just symbols, not just historic artifacts, but to things that bring to life the ancient lessons and ancient teachings that have guided our societies for thousands of years without which America, an exceptional nation, never would have been possible, is a humbling and moving experience.
 
God's promise is eternal and is perfect and His word is always true and I'm honored to be a part of its fulfillment here with you tonight. Thank you.”

See 12 min video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwP2D9diKdE
[Rubio begins at 2:20 min mark]
 
*Note: I hope this transcript is without error as it was difficult to exclude the moderator’s comments. -- Annette

 
[1] Kotel: The Western Wall (Kotel) - Chabad.org
The Western Wall, or Kotel, in the Old City of Jerusalem has figured prominently in the Jewish consciousness for centuries. Generations dreamed of appearing before the old stone wall, even just once. Now, the Wall is active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
 
[2] The Siloam Pool: Where Jesus Healed the Blind Man In 2004’s discovery near Jerusalem's City of David reshaped our understanding of this sacred site.'
More information:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRBoDP7lNRU

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/article-867585
https://x.com/GovMikeHuckabee/status/1967843226032759049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1967843226032759049%7Ctwgr%5E05275c401f9247a604220a7024680f161acb32a8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fworldisraelnews.com%2Fwatch-rubio-huckabee-attend-historic-opening-of-the-pilgrimage-road-in-jerusalem%2F

worldisraelnews.com/watch-rubio-huckabee-attend-historic-opening-of-the-pilgrimage-road-in-jerusalem/