[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 53 (Monday, May 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E749-E750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENSE OF CONGRESS ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDING OF MODERN STATE OF 
                                 ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 1998

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, on May 14th, 1948 the modern state of Israel 
was proclaimed, creating a homeland for the worldwide Jewish diaspora 
from the ancient land of Abraham and David. In the life of any country, 
a 50th anniversary is a notable milestone of historical achievement. In 
the case of Israel, a half-century of life exemplifies nothing less 
than an enduring miracle.
  The Jewish people, drawn to their country by a sacred relationship 
and a divine promise, flourished in ancient times. Their history is a 
seemingly never-ending succession of miracles, punctuated by the 
painful sting of suffering. A poor, enslaved people in the Land of 
Egypt, the Israelites were led by God out of Egypt and into the desert 
and freedom. It was there in the barren desert that their leader, 
Moses, went up to Mt. Sinai and came down wit the Torah, the word of 
God. In the midst of their escape and suffering in the barren 
wilderness, the Jewish people provided the world with the Ten 
Commandments, the foundation of all western morality.
  Back in their own country, the Jewish people ultimately realized the 
greatness that the Lord had promised. From King David, the poet 
warrior, to Solomon, the model of wisdom, the Jews gave us heroes that 
stir our hearts and souls still.
  Sadly, though, Jewish suffering was not at its end. IN 722 B.C.E. the 
Assyrians vanquished ten of their twelve tribes and sent the

[[Page E750]]

Israelites into exile. Only two small groups remained, fortified only 
by an undying faith in God and a refusal to surrender to the fate their 
enemies planned for them. They refused to give up hope. They refused to 
give up their faith.
  In 586 B.C.E., this small remnant was captured. Their temple, built 
by Solomon, was destroyed. Forced into exile to Babylonia, again the 
Jewish people thrived. Without a temple, they developed houses of 
worship--the historical beginning of synagogues. Unable to offer 
sacrifices, their religious leaders developed prayers as a way to reach 
the Almighty. Forbidden to publicly worship or have priests, they 
developed a new way of thinking of religious leaders as teachers. This 
was how the title rabbi came to be.
  Miraculously returning from their exile, the Jewish people rebuilt 
their Temple in Jerusalem. They wanted nothing more than simply to live 
under the grace and peace of God.
  But then in the year 70 of the Common Era, the Second Temple was 
destroyed by the Romans. During a final revolt against the Romans, at 
Masada, the sheared plain that stands in the Judean desert, brave Jews 
sacrificed their lives rather than endure as slaves. The Romans forced 
Jews to leave and even re-named the country ``Palestine'' named after 
the Phoenicians, the enemies of the Jews. The Jewish people had lost 
their country and would not recover for nearly two millennia.
  By any realistic view of history, the Israelites, few in number, 
robbed their homeland and set apart by the cruelest of persecutions, 
should have disappeared.
  But history is not able to reckon with the Jewish people. Instead of 
disappearing, the Jews flourished under the Lord's protective eye, 
developing a vast treasure of religious literature and a way of life 
that stressed lifelong learning and a striving to lead a moral life.
  Through inquisition and torture, through religious coercion and 
unendurable pain, the Jewish people held firm to their religious 
foundations. Here, in our own century, occurred the Holocaust, the most 
monstrous and inhuman evil that mankind has ever inflicted upon itself. 
Six million Jews, one and a half million of them children, were 
systematically murdered. One-third of the Jewish people in the world 
died during the Holocaust.
  Even during these darkest hours of the Holocaust, when all hope for 
the Jewish people seemed to have disappeared, when their very future 
hung on the edge of despair, they persevered. Then came Israel.
  The modern vision of a Jewish state, nourished by an historic 
attachment to the land of Israel, was given expression by the Viennese 
journalist Theodor Herzl, who organized the First Zionist Congress in 
1897. When the Congress was ended, Herzl noted in his diary that the 
Jewish state would come into being in 50 years. It was exactly 50 years 
later that Israel was born.
  On May 14, 1948, David Ben Gurion announced the birth of the modern 
Jewish nation. A day later, Arab armies attacked in full force, in an 
attempt to kill it before it had a chance to be born. After a bitter 
struggle for its very life, against overwhelming odds and trained 
armies, Israel prevailed. Their nation would not die. Masada would not 
fall again. David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister and Menachem 
Begin, who would later become Prime Minister, both contributed mightily 
to Israel's birth. The number of heroes in Israel's birth is 
innumerable.
  Over the course of the past 50 years, Israel has had to continually 
fight for its survival. In both 1956 and 1967, Israel had to defend 
itself against the attacks of its antagonistic neighbors. The Six Day 
War of `67 was particularly difficult for Israel. When the war was 
over, Israel gained control over all of Jerusalem including the Western 
Wall, the most sacred site in Jewish life because it is the last 
remaining part of the Second Temple. The Jews had returned to their 
land and to their holy city. In many ways, they returned to history 
itself.
  Still, wars followed, though some Arab nations have come to see the 
need for peace. However, to this day, many Arabs have not reconciled 
themselves to the permanent existence of Israel. Terrorists, rogue 
nations, and bitter and implacable enemies continue to threaten Israel 
Yet at 50, Israel has never been stronger.
  Perhaps, especially for the Jews, but finally for all decent people, 
the very existence of Israel remains a symbol. Israel's historic return 
as a nation offers hope and reassurance for people the world over who 
are struggling to realize their own homeland. Israel's refusal to 
surrender to enduring horrors provides a model of courage for those in 
need of strength. Israel's commitment to democracy and religious 
freedom is a wonderful example for those who believe that nations can 
be both strong and decent.
  Israel will always possess a special place in the heart and mind of 
the United States. Israel is, of course, a vital military ally, 
paramount in its support of the U.S. in the United Nations, and a 
dependable military source of information and support. Beyond these 
prudential reasons, however, Israel means much more to us. Sentinels of 
democracy, both nations were founded in pursuit of the righteous cause 
of liberty and human dignity. Citizens of both great nations have 
sacrificed their own lives in defense of freedom and in battle against 
tyranny. Neither America nor Israel is willing to accept the 
exploitation and oppression of innocent people by despotic rulers.
  The truth is that Israel is not just another nation; it is part of 
our family. As one brother to another, we in the United States rejoice 
as we celebrate Israel's 50th birthday. Let us use this moment to vow 
to stand forever by Israel's side. Let every enemy of Israel know that 
the United States stands firmly beside Israel. We will never be silent 
when Israel is in danger. We will never let Israel's enemies win.
  We stand with Israel. We wait in excitement to witness the miraculous 
achievements that Israel will have in the next 50 years.

                          ____________________