On midnight, MAY 14, 1948, the State of Israel came into being and was immediately recognized by the United States and the Soviet Union.



A homeland for the thousands of Jews who were persecuted and displaced during World War II, Israel was attacked the next day by the Transjordanian Army, the Arab Legion, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.



Against all odds, Israel survived.



The Armistice between Israel and her enemies was negotiated by Ralph Bunche, the first African American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.



On November 29, 1948, President Harry S Truman wrote to Dr. Chaim Weizmann, the first president of Israel:

"I want to tell you how happy and impressed I have been at the remarkable progress made by the new State of Israel."


Truman added:

"I remember well our conversations about the Negeb...and I deplore any attempt to take it away from Israel.



I had thought that my position would have been clear to all the world, particularly in the light of the specific wording of the Democratic Party platform...

I have interpreted my re-election as a mandate from the American people to carry out the Democratic platform - including, of course, the plank on Israel."

 
President John F. Kennedy remarked opening the Ouachita National Forest Road at Big Cedar, Oklahoma, October 29, 1961:

"We take our lesson...from the Bible and the story of Nehemiah, which tells us that when the children of Israel returned from captivity they determined to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, in spite of the threats of the enemy.

The wall was built and the peace was preserved. But it was written, 'Of them that built on the wall...with one of his hands he did the work, and with the other he held the sword.'"


In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson stated:

"America and Israel have a common love of human freedom and a democratic way of life...

Through the centuries, through dispersion and through very grievous trials, your forefathers clung to their Jewish identity and their ties with the land of Israel.

The prophet Isaiah foretold, 'And He shall set up an ensign for the nations and He shall assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from all the four corners of the earth'...

History knows no more moving example of persistence against the cruelest odds."

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In April 3, 2002, House Majority Whip Tom DeLay stated in a speech at Westminster College:

"No one can ignore the horrible aggression in the Middle East.

A democratic government is fending off an orchestrated onslaught of death. The State of Israel has been targeted by groups committed to her complete elimination.

And on the basis of our shared principles and democratic values, America has an undeniable obligation to stand squarely with our democratic ally against those attempting to end the State of Israel...

Israel and America are kindred nations. The founders of both countries were profoundly influenced by faith. Both countries drafted governments that practice religious tolerance."

Tom DeLay continued:

"Both countries are filled with immigrants summoned by dreams. For people fleeing the storms of persecution, both countries have been safe harbors...

No one should expect the people of Israel to negotiate with groups pursuing the fundamental goal of destroying them..."

Congressman Tom DeLay concluded:

"America has a clear duty to stand beside a democratic ally that is besieged by terrorists...The terrorists attempting to destroy the State of Israel should know that America will never allow that to happen."



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