American Rhetoric: Movie Speech

"Kingdom of Heaven" (2005)

Balian of Ibelin Addresses the People of Jerusalem

 

Balian of Ibelin: It has fallen to us to defend Jerusalem, and we have made our preparations as well as they can be made. None of us took this city from Muslims. No Muslim of the great army now coming against us was born when this city was lost. We fight over an offence we did not give, against those who were not alive to be offended. What is Jerusalem? Your holy places lie over the Jewish temple that the Romans pulled down. The Muslim places of worship lie over yours. Which is more holy? The wall? The Mosque? The Sepulcher? Who has claim? No one has claim. All have claim!

Balian of Ibelin: We defend this city, not to protect these stones, but the people living within these walls.