April 29, 2009

Dear Friend of Israel,

Tuesday at sundown Israel began celebrating its 61st birthday as a nation with observance of Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel Independence Day. On this day Israelis recall the events of May 14, 1948, the 5th day of the month of Iyar on the Jewish calendar, when Jewish leaders gathered at the Tel Aviv Museum to declare the establishment of the modern state of Israel.

Israel's Declaration of Independence, read that day by Israel's founding father and first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, promises that the Jewish state "will be open to the immigration of Jews from all countries of their dispersion; will promote the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; will be based on the precepts of liberty, justice and peace taught by the Hebrew prophets." Israel, the declaration continues, will "extend our hand to all neighboring states and their peoples… and appeal to them to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual help with the sovereign Jewish people."

What a tragedy that the vast majority of Israel's Arab and Muslim neighbors have never accepted her offer of "establishing bonds of cooperation and mutual help." In fact, most of those neighbors still do not even recognize Israel's existence - the Jewish state currently has full diplomatic relations only with Egypt and Jordan. Despite her efforts at peace, Israel has repeatedly had to fight to ensure that her independence, so boldly asserted in 1948, remains secure.

It is appropriate, then, that one day prior to Israel Independence Day Israel observes Yom HaZikaron, Israel Memorial Day. On this solemn day, Israel remembers the soldiers who have been killed during Israel’s many wars, and all Israelis who have died in the ongoing and seemingly never ending terrorist campaign against the Israeli people. It is a day that contains one of the most powerful public displays of national unity I have ever witnessed. For two minutes, sirens are sounded across the nation of Israel. As they wail, the entire country literally comes to a standstill. Even traffic stops as drivers get out of their cars to stand in silent remembrance of the fallen.

As we rejoice at Israel's birth, Israel Memorial Day reminds us that Israel's independence has been bought at a high price - a price paid in Jewish blood. And the sobering truth is that threats to Israel's existence are as real today as they have ever been. Terrorist groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza are gaining in strength. Iran continues to threaten to destroy Israel, even as its President, Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, is accorded a place of honor at events organized by world governing bodies like the recent United Nations-organized "Durban II" conference in Geneva. Some are pushing for a "one state solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a solution that would mean the end of a sovereign Jewish state.

In her struggle for peace, security, and continued independence, Israel does indeed face formidable challenges. But I am reminded of the words of Golda Meir, Israel's first female Prime Minister, who said, "Zionism and pessimism are not compatible." As Israel enters her 61st year, let us take heart and remember that the God who watches over Israel "will neither slumber nor sleep." (Psalm 121:6) Let us continue to lift up Israel in our prayers. And let us celebrate the fact that, despite her challenges, the state of Israel still acts as a "light unto the nations" (Isaiah 42:6) a light that shines even brighter surrounded, as it is, by countries living under tyranny.

With prayers for shalom, peace,