Post by bot on May 7, 2017 19:47:38 GMT -5
Hoyer Statement on Israel's Independence Day
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement on the 69th anniversary of Israel's Independence Day, which begins at sundown this evening:
“This evening, Israelis will gather to begin marking the sixty-ninth anniversary of their independence, joined by many in America and around the world who look to Israel as a beacon of hope and the triumph of Jewish self-determination after generations of exile and persecution. For me, Yom Ha’atzmaut has always served as a reminder of why the United States became the first nation to recognize Israel’s independence – our enduring relationship as democracies committed to peace and opportunity for all people. I’ve been proud to be a leader of the broad, bipartisan coalition supporting Israel in the United States Congress, and on the many occasions that I’ve visited the country, I’ve been struck by the resilience of Israelis in facing daily threats from terror and delegitimization. Together with colleagues from both sides of the aisle, I’ve worked to ensure that the United States and Israel are not only standing together for the values and interests we share but are working together through enhanced security cooperation and people-to-people connections that benefit both our nations and the world.
“From the verdant hills of the Galilee to the newly blossoming communities of the Negev Desert, from the solemn stones of the Western Wall in Jerusalem to the energetic beaches of Tel-Aviv, Israel has always been a country of inspiring contradictions. It is a place where history is ever-present, but one where technologies of the future are driving a nation of innovative start-ups. It is a country whose residents live under near-constant threat of attack, yet one where joy and hope can be found with the abundance of milk and honey. I continue to be drawn to Israel and its story, which inspires me and millions of Americans every day.
“On this Yom Ha’atzmaut, let us celebrate together the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel. Let us recall the words of Theodor Herzl, who proclaimed of the vision of a Jewish state in his people’s ancient homeland: ‘If you will it, it is not a dream!’ Together, let us continue to work for a peaceful and secure Israel so that the dream of the ages will become the inspiration of the future.”