[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 14, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4173-S4174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF ISRAEL

  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, over the past week, the Jewish people and 
their friends around the world have celebrated the historic and proud 
occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern State of 
Israel. I rise to join my colleagues in again congratulating and 
honoring the Israeli people in reaching this monumental milestone, and 
to recognize the enduring and unwavering relationship between our two 
countries.
  During my tenure in public service, it has truly been an honor to 
consistently stand with Israel. Throughout my 29 years in Congress--
begun the same year, 1979, when I attended the signing of the Israeli-
Egyptian peace treaty at the White House--I have fought for Israel's 
absolute right to exist in peace, and I have understood Israel's 
enduring value as a strategic ally to America. And for twice as long as 
I have been privileged to help enhance this relationship in Congress, 
Israel has proven itself time and again not only to be a true ally of 
the United States in terms of our shared security interests, but also 
in terms of upholding democratic ideals.
  In its first 60 years, the modern State of Israel has proven itself 
to be a bastion of democracy in a region rife with authoritarianism. 
Israel is the only country in the Middle East whose citizens enjoy the 
right to vote, speak, and pray freely. As notable as it is that Israel 
has successfully brought these critical elements of western-style 
democracy to the region, it is even more remarkable that it has been 
able to guarantee these freedoms while under constant threat from 
terrorists and countries along its borders. In this way, Israel has 
proven itself to be a true democracy--a paragon of political openness 
and liberty.
  As the first woman to serve in both houses of a State legislature and 
both Houses of the U.S. Congress, I regard Israel's inclusion and 
empowerment of women in politics as an especially inspiring feature of 
its democratic triumph. Highlighted by the election of Golda Meir as 
Prime Minister in 1969, Israeli women played as central a role in the 
founding and flourishing of the State of Israel as their male 
counterparts. Meir's legacy is proudly continued today by countless 
Israeli women in top government positions in Israel, including Foreign 
Minister Tzipi Livni, Speaker of the Knesset Dalia Itzik, and Justice 
Dorit Beinish, who serves as the President, or Chief Justice, of the 
Supreme Court.
  Again, Israel's proud record of outstanding participation by women in 
the governance of their country stands in stark contrast to the 
disenfranchising of women from public life elsewhere in the Middle 
East. And while many of its neighbors suffer from a high illiteracy 
rate among women, Israel has achieved educational parity for men and 
women, with 57 percent of all academic degrees in the country being 
earned by women.
  By advancing the causes of political inclusiveness and freedom, the 
State of Israel has done more than provide a vibrant homeland for the 
Jewish people, it has emerged a beacon of modernity and hope in an 
ancient and still troubled region. And there should be no doubt that 
the people and Government of United States continue to stand alongside 
Israel as it seeks peace even as it endures daily rocket attacks 
against its citizens and vile, hate-filled rhetoric from radical and 
dangerous strongmen who speak of its destruction. In supporting Israel 
against these threats, we support the dignity of all peoples against 
those who would prefer the oppressions of humanity's past to the 
promise of its future.
  And so, on the occasion of its 60th anniversary, I rise not only to 
commend the State of Israel and its people, but also to thank them, for 
their friendship, for their bravery, and for their defense of that 
which is righteous in the world.
  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have sought recognition to commemorate 
the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding.
  On May 14, 1948, members of the Jewish People's Council gathered at 
the Tel Aviv Museum to approve the Declaration of the Establishment of 
the State of Israel. The declaration stated, in part, ``The State of 
Israel will be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of 
the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country for the 
benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice 
and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure 
complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants 
irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of 
religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will 
safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to 
the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.'' These were the 
principles Israel was founded on, and these same principles guide it 
today.
  I have visited Israel 25 times since taking office in 1981. Under the 
able leadership of the numerous Israeli leaders whom I have come to 
know over that period, Israel has remained a bastion of democracy in 
the Middle East.
  According to the Freedom House's ``Freedom in the World 2008'' 
report, Israel is the only free country in the Middle East. Evidence of 
Israel's strong democratic traditions is seen in the inquisitiveness of 
its press: the Freedom

[[Page S4174]]

House considers the Israeli press to be the only free press in the 
region.
  Israel's economy has also prospered under democratic rule. According 
to the Economist Intelligence Unit, ``Israel's economy is far more 
diversified and sophisticated than its neighbors.'' ``Israel has the 
highest proportion of engineers in the workforce [worldwide], and 
nearly double the share of second-place US and Japan.'' Its well-
educated populace has enabled its high-tech industry to make advances 
in research and development, enabling Israeli firms ``to achieve global 
leadership in a number of fields, including various segments of the 
software industry, anti-virus protection and computer security systems, 
as well as in the areas of fiber optics and electro-optics, medical 
instruments and medical imaging systems.''
  During my time in the Senate, I have worked to ensure Israel's 
security. One aspect of this has been securing economic and military 
assistance for Israel. During my most recent trip to Israel, in 
December 2007, I met with President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister 
Ehud Olmert. We discussed, among other things, the Israeli-Palestinian 
peace process, Iran's role in the region, and the U.S.-Israeli 
bilateral relationship. In each instance, it was clear to me that both 
the United States and Israel benefit greatly from our strong ties and 
shared ideals.
  At the core of the United States-Israeli relationship is the Middle 
East peace process. There have been so many developments since Israel 
emerged as a state. The enmity which has existed for decades has meant 
senseless killing, terrorism in Israel, and Hezbollah and Hamas firing 
rockets into Israel, prompting the justified retaliation by Israel as a 
matter of self defense.
  It is crucial that Israel's neighbors understand the importance of 
words and perceptions in the peace process, bringing the region closer 
to the goals set forth in the November 27, 2007 Joint Israeli-
Palestinian Declaration at Annapolis: ``We express our determination to 
bring an end to bloodshed, suffering and decades of conflict between 
our peoples; to usher in a new era of peace, based on freedom, 
security, justice, dignity, respect and mutual recognition; to 
propagate a culture of peace and nonviolence; to confront terrorism and 
incitement, whether committed by Palestinians or Israelis.''
  The democratic principles set forth in the Declaration of the 
Establishment of the State of Israel have enabled Israel to thrive for 
the past 60 years and will continue to guide it into the future.
  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge the 60th 
anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel.
  On May 14, 1948, the people of Israel proclaimed the establishment of 
the sovereign and independent State of Israel, and the Government 
established full diplomatic relations.
  The United States and Israel share a deep friendship and alliance. 
Our alliance is based on the belief of the United States in Israel's 
right to exist and our countries' shared values of democracy.
  Both Israel and the United States understand the values of life, 
liberty, opportunity, security, and freedom. Additionally, we both seek 
to address the common threat of terrorism. We recognize that terrorist 
organizations have denounced the values of freedom, and we are 
dedicated to ensuring that terrorism does not prevail.
  Throughout Israel's history, the country has strived to build a 
democratic nation despite severe obstacles. Yet the people of Israel 
continue to show great strength and perseverance as they seek peace 
with their neighbors.
  I extend my congratulations to our friends, the people of Israel, and 
I join them in celebrating this occasion.

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