Forever at Israel's side

Yoni Netanyahu, Hero

“I, and the Israeli youth, have the duty to defend this country. It is a great responsibility that has made us come of age prematurely: people from the Moshav, the city and the Kibbutz who are united by something stronger than political affiliation. They are united by a feeling of brotherhood, mutual responsibility, recognition of the value of human life, a strong and sincere yearning for peace but at the same time a willingness to stand up to any challenge”.

Thirty years ago today, on America's Two-hundredth birthday, Israel did what few even dared dream of, and liberated over 100 hostages in Entebbe, Uganda - 3,000 miles from home, in enemy territory. The man behind this most daring and most impressive of raids, Lt. Col. Yoni Netanyahu, was not to come home alive.

He rests on Mt. Herzl, in Israel's eternal capital, and within our hearts, he lives on.

Happy Independence Day

And we come on the ship they call the Mayflower.
We come on the ship that sailed to the moon.
We come in the age’s most uncertain hours,
and sing an American tune.

— Paul Simon


Today marks the 230th birthday of the country my children will call home, and we celebrate more than a country (even though it is without any possible doubt the greatest the world has ever seen) - we celebrate an idea: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

There are some, on this blog and elsewhere, who have been somewhat critical of America, and I share some of their concerns - a country that produces Jimmy Carter, Michael Moore, Hillary Clinton and St. Rachel Corrie could hardly be perfect.

Yet, for all its imperfections, we can consider ourselves happy that we will not have to know what living in a world without the United States means. With the possible exception of Taiwan, there is no country more in need of a strong and friendly United States than Israel.

Again, I share some of the views of Caroline B. Glick and others, who rightly point out how America could do better. But nothing will change the fact that the United States is Israel's one true friend, a friend who contributes billions, fights some of our common enemies, shares our values and ideals, and will stand up for Israel when no one else will.

And frankly, Israel's part has not always been perfect either, what with Jonathan Pollard and the sale of advanced weapons technology to the Free World's most dangerous opponent in the XXI. Century.

The next time you have any doubts on the true love for Israel that runs so deep in American society as a whole, take a look at any UN General Assembly vote dealing with the Middle East. Roughly 90% of all countries will be in bed with the Arabs, another small minority may abstain, but the number of votes against this sad joke is always the same:

US Marshall Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
Australia (a welcome new member)
Israel
United States.


May God Bless America.