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My comments this month will be few. I simply invite you to read this section of Israel’s Declaration of Independence, in honor of the 60th Anniversary of Israel.
The land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people. Here their spiritual, religious and national identity was formed. Here they achieved independence and created a culture of national and universal significance. Here they wrote and gave the Bible to the world.
Exiled from Palestine, the Jewish people remained faithful to it in all of the countries of their dispersion, never ceasing to pray and hope for their return and the restoration of their national freedom….
Accordingly, we, the members of the National Council, representing the Jewish people in Palestine and the Zionist movement of the world...HEREBY PROCLAIM the establishment of the Jewish State in Palestine, to be called ISRAEL….
THE STATE OF ISRAEL 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; will uphold the full social and political equality of all its citizens, without distinction of race, creed or sex….
We offer peace and unity to all the neighboring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all. Our call goes out to the Jewish people all over the world to rally to our side in the task of immigration and development and to stand by us in the great struggle for the fulfillment of the dream of generations—the redemption of Israel. |
