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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2008
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Contact: Zach Goldberg
202-225-5801 (office) |
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HOLT STATEMENT ON THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE CREATION OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL
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(Washington, D.C.) – Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today issued following statement on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the creation of the State of Israel:
“As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel, I am proud that the United States and Israel have built a strong, unique and special relationship.
It took the United States, under President Harry Truman’s leadership, only eleven minutes after Israel had been declared a state to officially welcome her into the community of nations. After, President Truman said ‘I had faith in Israel before it was established, I have faith in it now. I believe it has a glorious future before it - not just another sovereign nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization.’
The creation of the State of Israel was a bold step in May of 1948. The first Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, once said that, ‘courage is a special kind of knowledge: the knowledge of how to fear what ought to be feared and how not to fear what ought not to be feared.’ It is from such courage that the State of Israel was formed and from which Israel continues to maintain its vibrant and strong democracy today. We can all learn examples from the struggles that the citizens have endured and the grief they have overcome to remain a democratic outpost in the Middle East.
The achievements of the Israeli people and their government over the past 60 years are remarkable. For instance, when it comes to education, well over half of Israelis aged 20-24 are enrolled in one of the country's institutions of post-secondary or higher education. Health care is guaranteed by law - for all Israelis - from infancy to old age. As for agriculture, the country produces almost 70 percent of its food requirements – from land that was once not remotely capable of sustaining crops or livestock. Finally, despite the growing demand for expansion of farmland and industrial centers, the Israeli government has set aside land for 150 nature reserves and 65 national parks throughout the country, with several hundred additional sites in planning. While these achievements are each remarkable in their own right, they are only a sample of what Israel has accomplished in a mere 60 years.
As a life long supporter of our most important ally in the Middle East, I have had the pleasure of traveling to Israel. These visits have only reinforced my strong conviction that Israel, like all states in the world, has the right to respond in self-defense to protect her sovereignty and citizens.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations Special Intelligence Oversight Panel, I know that Israel has been a loyal and cooperative partner in combating terrorism. Our country has a lot to learn from Israel and her experiences with acts of terrorism.
As Israel continues to face threats from her neighbors, America must continue to stand with her. Additionally, a strong American relationship with Israel is essential for regional stability. We have a responsibility to help Israel stand up to and prevent terrorist attacks. Last year, I supported $2.4 billion in military assistance for Israel, and will continue to support additional U.S. foreign assistance for Israel.
I also strongly believe that the United States must remain actively engaged in ensuring a peaceful settlement of the current conflict between the two parties.
It is essential that the United States become more involved diplomatically to help diffuse conflicts like the one in Lebanon two summers ago and help move the parties to a broader settlement that will defang the militant and terrorist factions and will result in a peaceful Middle East and a viable two states.
Much work remains unfinished. We are all troubled by the daily rocket attacks by Hamas from Gaza against innocent civilians in Israel. Israel clearly has a right to defend herself against these deadly attacks. This has been a yet another unique year for Israel, full of challenges that were admirably met.
I am pleased to join with the Jewish community of New Jersey and all Americans in celebrating 60 years of Israel’s existence as a beacon of democracy and hope in the Middle East. I look forward to future anniversaries and to the day when Israel and her citizens can live in peace without fear.”
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