| Contact |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||
|
May 8, 2008
Sixty years ago, the world became a better place with the birth of the State of Israel. A nation committed to freedom, human rights, and democracy rose from a sliver of land with little more than determination and history on its side. I have had the honor of traveling to Israel and count those visits as among my most rewarding and moving. The geography is unbelievable; the history is humbling; and the courage of the Israeli people is inspiring. Young men and women stand guard around the country, armed and ready to defend their country. There is a personal sacrifice made by each and every Israeli family—generations having served in the military—that is a remarkable reminder that the State of Israel is far more than a country. The State of Israel is life for the Jewish people. The United States has been a close friend and ally to Israel since its founding in 1948. When President Truman became the first world leader to recognize Israel, he set in motion 60 years of support and friendship between our two countries. I am proud of the commitment that the United States continues to exhibit toward Israel, a beacon of democracy, innovation, and freedom in an otherwise dark and disturbed area of the world. As it becomes clearer who our enemies are, it also becomes clearer who are true friends are. And there is no truer friend than Israel. We stand by Israel for many reasons, but most importantly, if we fail Israel, we fail in our moral duty as a nation. On this 60th Anniversary, we hope and pray that the State of Israel will find peace and continue to inspire all with its blessed and miraculous story of survival and prosperity. May God always watch over and bless the people of Israel.
|
