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Israeli Independence Day

Apr 23, 2015 | Blog

Today we join the nation of Israel in celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut, or Israeli Independence Day, which commemorates the signing of the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948. We mark this occasion at a time when Israel’s very existence is threatened by numerous enemies, and when those threats are exacerbated by the unfortunate reluctance of this administration to stand on the side of the Israeli people.

Despite the immense challenges Israel has faced since gaining its independence, it has become the great success story of the Middle East. It is everything we want the region to look like: free, prosperous, democratic, aligned with America, peace-loving, and invested in creating an even better future for its people. Despite its inherent strength, Israel is a small country, at its narrowest point only 9 miles wide, and it is surrounded by nations and non-state actors bent on its destruction.

Anytime there is daylight between America and Israel, it emboldens Israel’s enemies to take action. On this day, and every day, the United States must commit to standing unequivocally with Israel to prevent violence and aggression from threatening its hard-won – and hard-kept – independence as the sacred home of the Jewish people. Today, Jeanette and I wish the people of Israel a happy, peaceful and safe Yom Ha’atzmaut.