The City of David in Jerusalem has been recognized as a heritage site of significance to the United States, a designation that U.S. officials say traces foundational American principles back to biblical Jerusalem. The formal recognition in October 2020, declared not merely as a Jewish or Israeli heritage site but as an American one, aims to highlight the moral bedrock and ideals that influenced the nation's founding.
This recognition underscores the argument that concepts such as equality before the law, inherent human dignity, and the right to speak truth to power originated in Jerusalem. According to proponents, these ideals contrast with earlier societies where rulers were above the law and rights were limited to a select few. The City of David, the historic heart of ancient Jerusalem, is presented as the source of these revolutionary ideas.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Chairman of the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad Paul Packer, in a proclamation associated with the site, stated that "The spiritual bedrock of our values as a nation comes from Jerusalem." The proclamation further notes that "It is upon these ideals that the American republic was founded, and the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel was formed."
Historical parallels are drawn to biblical narratives, such as King David's accountability to the prophet Nathan, which is presented as an early example of acknowledging accountability to the law. Thomas Paine, in his influential pamphlet Common Sense, referenced biblical texts to assert that in America, the law is king. Similarly, the story of the prophet Jeremiah challenging a corrupt throne and facing opposition is cited as an ancient instance of dissent, with archeological finds in the City of David reportedly matching names from the Book of Jeremiah.
These historical narratives are presented as influencing American Founders like Benjamin Franklin, whose proposed motto for the Great Seal of the United States was "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God," and Thomas Jefferson, who wrote in the Declaration of Independence that rights are endowed by the Creator. The concept of inherent human worth, stemming from the image of God, is traced back to Genesis and its first national expression in Jerusalem.
During a visit in September 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed these sentiments on the unearthed Pilgrimage Road in the City of David. He stated that the principle of mankind's rights coming from their Creator was deeply rooted in ancient teachings originating from Jerusalem.
Guatemala was the third nation to formally recognize the City of David as a heritage site, following the United States. Officials have also noted that Argentina's President Javier Milei has referred to the City of David as a source of inspiration for his republic. These actions are framed as a connection to the ideals rooted in Jerusalem on which these nations were founded and hope to endure.