Yitzhak Artzi was born in Romania and was involved in the Zionist underground during World War ii, helping save children from a concentration camp and transport Romanian Jews to Israel for resettlement. He also aided in establishing a settlement in Lower Galilee, working as a journalist before moving into politics and rising to the post of vice mayor of Tel Aviv from 1974 to ’79 and deputy mayor in the Tel Aviv municipality from 1979 to ’83. Furthermore, Artzi served as a member of the Knesset from 1984 to ’88 before dying in 2003.

“I regret that I can’t say in the ears of Mr. Armstrong what I wanted to say to him on behalf of our city, Tel Aviv-Jaffa,” stated Mr. Artzi. He was addressing a cadre of international ambassadors, diplomats, city officials, university directors, parliamentarians and journalists at a November 1974 banquet highlighting the work of Herbert W. Armstrong.

Mr. Artzi expressed his pleasure at Tel Aviv being chosen as host city for the special evening honoring the unofficial ambassador for world peace, who became ill moments before the event and was laid up in bed.

Mr. Artzi said, “I think that our time needs men like Mr. Armstrong and like this movement, a movement inspired by a spiritual message, looking for understanding between men and men, trying to build bridges” (Worldwide News, Dec. 23, 1974).

He noted the dinner conversation surrounding efforts between Arab nations and Israel toward building a peaceful “bridge of friendship” and went on to focus on Mr. Armstrong’s interest and activities in Israeli archeology.

Founded in 1909, this city which honored Mr. Armstrong is Israel’s second largest and is located along the coastline hugging the Mediterranean Sea. It is Israel’s financial center, housing a stock exchange, sea trade port and business houses, and acting as the nation’s primary performing arts hub.

“The links, the historic links between Tel Aviv and Jaffa, creates this specific situation of Jaffa, an old city mentioned in the Bible, mentioned in Greek mythology, mentioned by the Crusaders, Tel Aviv having this year its 65th anniversary. This combination maybe expresses this specific situation of Israel of synthesis between old and between the new” (ibid).

Regular readers would know that editor in chief Gerald Flurry is no stranger to Israel. He has visited its cities numerous times over the past two decades, including Tel Aviv and Jaffa. These ancient cities have featured in his many Trumpet articles and Key of David broadcasts, of which he has been presenter to the program’s worldwide audience since its genesis in January 1993.

As founder and chancellor of Herbert W. Armstrong College and chairman of the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation, he has labored to continue the “iron bridge” between these humanitarian institutions and counterparts in Israel. Uri Lupolianski, mayor of Jerusalem from 2003 to ’08, extended a warm hand of friendship, meeting with Mr. Flurry to discuss foundation goals for the city.

There is good news for Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Jerusalem and all cities. Mr. Artzi’s call that “our time needs men like Herbert W. Armstrong” was not in vain. There is such a man in our time today, leading “a movement inspired by a spiritual message.” One continuing the legacy of the ambassador for peace, working to keep the bonded structure of the “iron bridge” intact by declaring to the cities of Judah the Prophet Isaiah’s message of chapter 40, verse 9: “Behold your God!”