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"The Jewish people have contributed greatly to America. (…) No group has had such an outsized influence per capita. You make up 11 percent of the seats in the United States Congress. You make up one-third of all Nobel laureates. I think you, as usual, underestimate the impact of Jewish heritage. I really mean that. I think you vastly underestimate the impact you’ve had on the development of this nation. (...) I bet you 85 percent of [social] changes, whether it's in Hollywood or social media are a consequence of Jewish leaders in the industry. The influence is immense, the influence is immense. And, I might add, it is all to the good."
– Joe Biden, Irish-American President of the United States (Dem). 1942 AD
Nelson, S. (2013): Biden Makes Teleprompter Joke, Offers Jews 'Uncomfortable' Flattery. May 22 2013, 2:17 p.m.
“Anti-Semitism is on the rise, and Israel is now surrounded by nations committed to her destruction. My friends, it is vital that we stand together. (…) In this hour of our history, it is essential that we [are] united around our shared values.”
– Dino Kartsonakis, Greek-American pianist. 1942 AD
Tiansay, E. (2013): Dino Kartsonakis Among Christian Artists Headlining Israel Gala Benefit. In: Charisma News. 2/6/2013 9:00 AM EST.
"It is a great honor for us to come here, in the State of Israel. I feel like this visit has come from the skies. We in Brazil admire the Israeli Air Force, there's a lot to learn from you."
– Juniti Saito, Japanese-Brazilian Air Force commander. 1942 AD
Israeli Air Force: Cdr. of Brazilian Air Force Visits Israel. 3 June 2012.
“We must firmly cooperate on making Israel safer and more livable, no matter how difficult that might be sometimes. For Israel belongs in our midst.”
– Friede Springer née Riewerts, East Frisian / German publisher. 1942 AD
Deutscher Israelkongress (2015): Grußwort Dr h.c. Friede Springer. 19. Dezember 2015. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"The enemies of Israel are our enemies. They don't want to hit the little Satan; they want to hit the West, modernity, democracy, liberty, emancipation of women."
– Antonio Martino, Italian Minister of Defence (LPI). 1944 AD
Per la verità, per Israele. Manifestazione i Roma. 7 Ottobro 2010. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel does not operate an apartheid system to the detriment of Palestinians. For years, until Arafat’s criminal and disastrous intifadas, the State of Israel was the only place in the region where Palestinians could find gainful employment – their own disgusting regime being so shambolic and economically moribund. (…) Israel is the only democratic, civilised state in the region and four times since 1948 has been forced to fight defensive wars against the surrounding barbarians who for sixty-six years have been bent on its destruction.”
– Peter Mullen, English priest. 1942 AD
“As a student, I read about the Inquisition, the Crusades, the pogroms in western Europe and Tsarist Russia and the ultimate abomination of the Nazi beasts. I knew in my heart then, 30 years ago, and I know it to this day, that there had to be an answer to the stake, the rack, the pogrom, the gas chamber and the crematorium. There could be no Christian theology that could ignore or excuse the stench of burning Jewish babies. There had to be a political response which showed that evil did not finally triumph at Auschwitz. There must be one place in the world where a Jew could feel entirely and unhesitatingly at home. That place is the Jewish state of Israel. Its rise, like a phoenix from the ashes of the crematoria, will always be an inspiring cause for me, and I make no apology for it.”
– Michael Latham, English/British Conservative MP. 1942 – 2017 AD
House of Commons Hansard Debates for 23 May 1991
“Israel became a very concrete subject during my first stay in the country. It affects and impresses one to acknowledge how a small, blossoming country fights for its existence amidst 500 million potential enemies and to recognize that a single fundamental political error could threaten the entire state.”
– Jochen Feilcke, Hanoverian member of the Bundestag (CDU). 1942 AD
Sahm, U.W. (2013): Simone Bach-Sliwinski und Isabel Murray im Gespräch mit Jochen Feilcke. In: Israelkongress Journal 2013. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Israel is a great democracy, the only democracy of the Middle East. A great value with a great value that deserves our admiration. And this is why our association fights with great conviction so that Israel can live."
– Enrico Pianetta, Italian Senator (FI). 1944 AD
Per la verità, per Israele. Manifestazione i Roma. 7 Ottobro 2010. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“For 3,000 years there has been a continuous Jewish presence in the city of Jerusalem. No other city on Earth is the capital of the same country, inhabited by the same people, speaking the same language and worshipping the same God, for a span of three [millennia] as has been the case with Jerusalem.”
– Jon Kyl, Dutch-American Senator (GOP) from Arizona. 1942 AD
June 11, 1997 - Issue: Vol. 143, No. 81 — Daily Edition 105th Congress (1997 - 1998) - 1st Session.
“The modern state of Israel has reached the average length of days prescribed by the Psalmist for humans, and yet the nation endures in years and with ever-increasing strength. This despite, or perhaps because of, the numerous attempts to eradicate it from the region and enemies who have tried without success to exterminate the Jewish people. In a land of miracles, the survival and prospering of the Jewish state may be among the most miraculous of all. In 1948, the land was anything but appealing from a geological perspective. It was a dry, dusty and unappealing place except for Zionists whose vision never wavered. The planting of Eucalyptus trees began a series of developments that has transformed this tiny place into what Scripture metaphorically calls a land of 'milk and honey'.”
– Cal Thomas, American columnist and radio commentator. 1942 AD
Thomas, C. (2023): Israel at 75. In: Sun Journal.
“In the nearly 2,000 years that had passed since the exile, the Jewish people had remained faithful to their traditions, praying and hoping for their eventual return. (…) In the decades since the birth of the modern State of Israel, much has changed. This desert land has in many ways become ‘a land that floweth with milk and honey’. In this, it reflects the ingenuity and the resourcefulness of the Israeli people.”
– Mitch McConnell, Irish-American Senator (GOP) from Kentucky. 1942 AD
May 14, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 79 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session
“The United States stands with Israel, and when Israel is strong, America is strong.”
– Frederica Wilson, African-American Representative (Dem) from Florida. 1942 AD
Frederica Wilson on Twitter on 2 November 2023.
“Over the past 50 years trees have had a very symbolic status in Israel. Zionist settlers have planted literally millions of trees, truly living up to the biblical passage about making the desert bloom. (…) Fifty years ago this spring the modern state of Israel was born, ending thousands of years of exile for the Jewish people.”
– Preston Manning, Canadian MP (Canadian Alliance). 1942 AD
Preston Manning on State Of Israel In the House of Commons on February 12th, 1998.
“We recognize the sacred right of the state of Israel and the Israeli people to the land of historic Israel. ‘The right of return‘ of the Jewish people to the land of their foremothers and forefathers is a sacred right. It has no statute of limitation. The return must continue to enrich the Middle East. We recognize Jerusalem as simply a Jewish city, It must never be divided, she is, and shall always be, the united capital of Israel.”
– Morris Sadek, Coptic-American lawyer and activist. 1942 AD
Ó Cathail, M. (2012): How a Group of Christians Smearing Muslims Benefits the Jewish State. In: Washington Report. October 12 2012.
“Israel was Jewish, democratic, largely western, socialist and independent – reasons for which it could not but be disliked and feared by almost all the elites in its neighboring countries. More importantly, Israel humiliated the Arabs by its very existence. It stood out as a symbol of Arab divisions and weakness, a living testimony to the fact that all Arab nations had fallen by the roadside in the forward march of history.”
– Amir Taheri, Iranian-British journalist and author. 1942 AD
"The Jews who dreamed of a country of their own, and their posterity, with their own hard work, have built an advanced country on fertile soil, and in many places, even in the desert. The residents of Israel have come from all over the world, speaking nearly one hundred languages, and were once members of differing cultural communities. Together, they gave birth to the Nation of Israel. The idea espoused by Theodore Herzl that he formed in Budapest, and which many believed was utopia, has become reality."
– László Sólyom, President of Hungary. 1942 AD
Address by President of the Republic of Hungary Laszlo Solyom to the Knesset. 18 March 2008.
“The Italian people, and certainly this government in particular (...) are full of admiration for Israel for what Israel stands for. (...) The notion of a start-up nation, which encapsulates so many things about Israel, is a model throughout the world. (...) We consider Israel's security also our security in Europe and beyond. We reject in the strongest terms all threats to regional stability and condemn as outrageous and unacceptable any denial of the terrible tragedy of the Shoah as well as any threats to the very existence of Israel. (…) Italy's committed to continuing the strengthening and the promotion of the ties between Israel and the EU and its cooperation with the NATO.”
– Mario Monti, Prime Minister of Italy. 1943 AD
Joint Press Conference with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Italian PM Mario Monti. 26 October 2012.
“Israel is a country full of dreams, of love, of desire for peace, and I am sending this message to tell you that I love it. After the incredible Nazi persecution of the great people which was born there, it has found the strength to build and fully experience the art, science, medicine, agriculture and unfortunately always had to do this while in a state of war. I hope with all my might that the time of peace and justice will reach that country, and I believe that everyone should begin to help by clearly saying: it is time to stop attacking it with lies and deceptions, and painting an image completely different from reality! Greetings Israel, I am with you on the side of truth of history and life.”
– Lucio Dalla, Italian singer and actor. 1943 – 2012 AD
Dalla, L. (2012): Per la verità, per Israele. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Notwithstanding great external difficulties, Israel has created a democratic and open society to which we feel close. Israel has made deserts fertile, and its people have transformed it from a developing country into a bastion of high technology. This drive to succeed and innovate can serve as an example to other countries, including Germany. (…) I'm pleased that once more there is a wealth of Jewish life in Germany. With its rich cultural heritage and its diversity, it has been a formative part of our culture for more than one thousand years."
– Horst Köhler, Federal President of Germany. 1943 AD
Address by Federal President Horst Köhler to the Knesset. 2 February 2005.
“Israel is, for us, a normal and a special country. A normal country, because it is just like any other democracy. A special country, because the Jewish culture, which eventually became the Judeo-Christian culture of the dignity of man, is the conceptual foundation of liberalism and democracy. This is why attacking Israel is tantamount to attacking Europe and the West. This is also why disputing Israel's legitimacy and its right to existence means questioning democracy. And this is why we are friends of Israel. By defending Israel, we are defending ourselves.”
– Marcello Pera, Italian Senate President. 1943 AD
"The ties that bind America to Israel are greater than the economic and security interest that our nations share. We are two nations grown from a common source, both forged by the courage and imagination of pioneers, and both expressing in our founding documents our ultimate reliance on divine providence. As we celebrate with you, we remember together the courage of David, who established Jerusalem 3000 years ago as the political and spiritual capital of the Jewish people. We remember the commitment of the early Zionists, who convened the first Zionist congress a century ago, lived through the horror of the Holocaust, and finally witnessed the birth of a Jewish homeland in Eretz Israel."
– Newt Gingrich, American House Speaker (GOP). 1943 AD
Speech in the Knesset by the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. 26 May 1998.
"Like no other two countries on the planet, against the deepest odds, both America and Israel confidently, purposefully set out to be examples to the world. Think about it. From its earliest days, Israel has always said it’s not enough just to be one of many in a community of nations; Israel has strived since Isaiah’s time to serve as a light unto the nations."
– John Kerry, American Foreign Minister (Dem). 1943 AD
Remarks at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Conference. March 3 2014.
"Israel is the only plural democracy respecting human rights that exists in the Middle East. The only one, by the way, in which Arabs, even those who detest the Jewish State, vote freely and are part of parliament. The only one in which women of the Islamic religion study without limitations, enjoy the same rights as men and are not treated as second class beings. (...) Israel's economic, political, scientific and social success has the potential to become a model for the region. (...) history lesson that explained to us that the moral foundations of Western civilization were found in the Judeo-Christian tradition was true. In the West, Israel is all of us. And if one day Israel perishes, it will be a bit of death for all of us."
– Carlos Alberto Montaner, Cuban-Spanish author and journalist. 1943 – 2023 AD
Montaner, C.A. (2006): Diez razones para apoyar a Israel. 3 de agosto de 2006.
"We stand with Israel because Israel is a beacon of freedom and hope—to the world, generally, and in a more important sense, to the Middle East. (...) Israel has kept faith with the promise of its founding [in 1948], a founding more similar to America's than perhaps any other nation's."
– William Bennett, United States Secretary of Education (GOP). 1943 AD
Dershowitz, A. (2006): What Israel Means to Me. Page 39.
"I always enjoy coming to Israel. Israelis are warm, they’re energetic people. Forthright. Very smart. I always like smart people. They’re nice people, you know. Aggressive, and I respect that aggressiveness because you need it in their situation. (...) Israel is fighting for their right to exist both as a nation and as a race of people, against a group of hate-filled terrorists who are a threat to the whole world"
– Robert de Niro, Italian-American actor. 1943 AD
Times of Israel, The (2012): Tough guy De Niro likes tough Israel. 20 June 2013, 3:38 am.
"I always like returning to Israel, I like the warmth and love the people here give and like to sing my greatest love songs with them. I have to spend more time here. I hope that after my concerts, people here go back home and make children. It will be good to have more nice Israelis."
– Julio Iglesias, Spanish singer. 1943 AD
Shechnik, R. (2013): Julio Iglesias headed to Israel again. In: YNet News. 06.20.13.
“We don’t want Israel to be isolated in the area. (…) Israel became a reality in the land [of Palestine]. For that reason, Saudi Arabia would like to live together. (…) Israel is our ‘enemy’, and Iran our ‘friend’… but a wise enemy is better than an ignorant friend. For that reason, we try to turn our enemy into our friend.”
– Dr Anwar Eshki, Saudi general. 1943 AD
“I can also say from long experience that our security relationship with Israel is important for America. Our military benefits from Israeli innovations in technology, from shared intelligence, from exercises that help our readiness and joint training that enhances our capabilities and from lessons learned in Israel’s own battles against terrorism and asymmetric threats.”
– James L. Jones, American general from Missouri. 1943 AD
Satloff, R. (2010): Substance beyond the Humor: Analyzing the Jones Address. In: The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. April 27, 2010.
“Since its founding in 1948, the modern State of Israel has served as a democratic anchor in the Middle East. (…) Israel established a democracy in the midst of a politically tumultuous region and by guaranteeing the basic rights of her citizens, sets herself apart from her authoritarian neighbors. (…) Not only is Israel an example for her neighbors as a thriving democracy, where citizens' rights are protected through the rule of law, she has also been an avid supporter in the global war on terror.”
– Virginia Foxx née Palmieri, Italian-American Representative (GOP) from North Carolina. 1943 AD
“When I was in Israel I saw first hand the humanitarian compassion of the Israeli people whether through the Hadassa Hospital where they treat the terrorists or through truckloads of food and other necessary supplies sent into the Gaza area. It is unconscionable that Hamas terrorists act in such a barbarian manner toward the Israeli people who have reached out in peaceful actions to attempt to end the conflict.”
– Ginny Brown-Waite née Kniffen, American Representative (GOP) from Florida. 1943 AD
“Israel has continued to thrive despite constant military attacks, threats of terrorism, and international boycotts that have been placed on such a young government. Being the only democracy in the Middle East, we must applaud their efforts in sustaining a democratic political system. (...) Israel is at the forefront of modern technology and they have taken the lead in research and development from everyday electronics to renewable energy resources. This is important given the global dependence on oil and the perpetual rise in the cost of fuel.”
– Eni Faleomavaega, Samoan Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa. 1943 AD
April 22, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 64 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“I am a Sunni Muslim… I see myself as an inseparable part of Israel, as an Israeli citizen who defends the state so that it will remain Jewish and democratic, a state that ensures the rights of all minorities.”
– Falach Hayib, Bedouin-Israeli Lieutenant-Colonel.
IDF Editorial Team (2013): A Different Set of Eyes. Bedouin Muslim Officer on Journey to Poland. 28.06.2013.
“The only holiday of independence which I can never leave out is the celebration of the independence of the Jewish State of Israel. There are other nations with whom we share the same values, whether it’s free elections or a free market economy, but no one is threatening to delete those states from the map. No one shoots at their border towns and no one wants to see the citizens of those nations driven out of their country.”
– Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic. 1944 AD
Czech President Milos Zeman’s statement in honor of Israel’s Independence.
"The Romans upset the equilibrium by dispersing the Jews in the year 70 AD. Thereafter, the Jews suffered endless privations, being victims of all sorts of hoodlums such as Hitler, until the founding of the State of Israel in 1948. The Jewish leaders wisely avoided the British nonsense of proposing to bring you to Uganda because you had no historical claim here. You went to where you had a historical claim ─ Israel-Palestine. (…) Owing to the constant hostility by neighbours, Israel has developed into a high-technology centre.”
– Yoweri Museveni, ethnic Hima President of Uganda. 1944 AD
Summit ChimpReports: Full Museveni Speech at Terrorism. 7 jul 2016
"Israel is closer to us than many other countries. We have a shared history, and yes, a painful one too. Theodor Herzl, a great Austrian, is mentioned in the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. (...) Today Austria and Israel enjoy an excellent relationship – based on mutual trust. (...) Whenever Israel’s existence is threatened, Austria therefore stands in full solidarity with Israel.”
– Alexander van der Bellen, Federal President of Austria. 1944 AD
President Herzog meets Austria’s President Van der Bellen at the Hofburg Palace. 06.09.2023.
Twitter/X: 5 feb. 2019 & 16 jan. 2024.
""Australia had never wavered and would never waver from our commitment to Israel's right to exist within secure and recognised boundaries. But I added that beyond those familiar phrases, we would never waver from a deeper conviction that the international community is a better place, a more decent place, for the contribution Israel has made and will yet make.”
– Paul Keating, Irish-Australian Prime Minister of Australia (Labor). 1944 AD
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING, MP 25TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE ISRAEL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SYDNEY MONDAY 4 DECEMBER, 1995
“Once Israel re-emerged as an independent nation, its people demonstrated extraordinary energy and built the future that they deserve – a bright and free future. No nation suffered more than the Jewish people did and no nation accomplished as much. In many respects, the sacrifices of your ancestors, of your predecessors, became the source of the bright energy propelling Israel toward the future. (…) Whenever our nations did interact, they met as friends and the stance of Albanians during the Shoah was no coincidence”
– Sali Berisha, President and Prime Minister of Albania. 1944 AD
Berisha, S. (2012): Albania and Israel. Survivor Nations with a Common Heritage and a Common Future.
“I love Israel, these people deserve peace. We met amazing people from all walks of life who came to shake our hands and wish us a good stay and asked if there was any way they could make our trip more special. We would definitely travel there again. The trip enlightened us and made us wiser; we came away with a deeper understanding of the Jewish people.”
– Roy Horn, Bavarian/German-American magician. 1944 – 2021 AD
Horn, R. (2014): OUR TRIP TO ISRAEL. In: Facebook. 3 July 2014.
"I'm speaking as a German European, as a European German, and I thought we have learnt our lesson well, as Europeans, after the Holocaust and Auschwitz we thought: 'Never again'. But what I see coming to the forefront, is a new form of anti-Semitism. And it is in a new form of anti-Zionism, and this has to be defeated. If we are not the ones to defeat this, and not the ones to defend Israel and its right of existence, then we are as Europeans using our values and that means that the core value of Europeans is liberty, is justice, is solidarity. And if we are going to lose this fight against this fight against this new form of anti-Semitism, we are lost. So our fight in defending Iseael is not the fight only of Israel, but is the fight of us as Europeans to survive. And we know what anti-Semitism is, we know in what way anti-Semitism is beginning: like the thief in the night, he is coming, and then, in the end, he is the Emperor, he is the Dictator, he is destroying democracy. Democracy shouldn't be destroyed again, so we should fight against this new form of anti-Semitism."
– Gert Weißkirchen, Badenian member of the Bundestag (SPD). 1944 AD
Per la verità, per Israele. Manifestazione i Roma. 7 Ottobro 2010.
“All the empires that have distressed and embarassed Israel throughout the centuries disappeared: the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Egyptians… All those empires that perished. And so often did the tides turn against that tiny nation of Israel. And it still exists. It still exists and it will until the end. There’s a guarantee for that. And not just that: it’s not just a little nation of Israel, but a nation within which many serve and love the Lord God. Who still say the Words of Psalm 119 – how I love your Torah. And who live by the Torah and who live from the Torah. It is indeed an incredible phenomenon. There’s never been a nation that, centuries and centuries after having been driven from its own land, kept its identity and at a specific point in history returns to that same land and builds up a state again.”
– Willem J. Ouweneel, Dutch biologist, philosopher and theologian. 1944 AD
Column op website. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel did not create itself. It is an offshoot of the West. They are an offshoot of Western culture. That is why I compared Israel to Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. I want to make a very important point. It's a positive thing. (…) It is the West that produced all this prosperity. To this day, we are a burden on the West. Even Japan admits that without benefiting from the West, it would not have developed.”
– Ibrahim Al-Buleihi, Saudi liberal author and politician. 1944 AD
Al-Arabiya Network (2010): Former Saudi Shura Council Member Ibrahim Al-Buleihi: The Arab Is Incapable of Individual Thinking. February 25, 2010.
“We consider Israel a mature democracy, and the only one in the region. (...) Europe considers Israel as an important friend and partner.”
– Chris Patten, English/British Governor of Hong Kong. 1944 AD
Teitelbaum, R. (2002): So near yet so far. In: Globes. 4 Nov, 2002 12:08.
“Whereas Israel was fortunate in bringing Jews together, inside and outside Israel, we have failed to unify the Palestinians inside the homeland itself. While the Jewish state has adopted pluralism, we are still addicted to tribalism, factionalism and blind partisanship. While every corrupt leader in Israel, including its head of state, is brought to justice, we've rejected a necessary building process based on transparency and democracy. And finally, whereas the Israeli public go to the street demanding the punishment of every erring official, we have refused accountability and collective examination.”
– Dr. Asad Abdul Rahman, Palestinian professor. 1944 AD
“During the Israeli occupation [of Gaza], I was 100 times freer.”
– Eyad al-Sarraj, Palestinian psychiatrist. 1944 – 2013 AD
Pipes, D. (2005): "The Hell of Israel Is Better than the Paradise of Arafat". In: Middle East Quarterly Spring 2005, pp. 43-50
“I came to Israel thinking I would lift morale, but I came back uplifted. (…) America should be 100 percent behind Israel because the Jewish state is fighting our battle on the front lines against Islamic terrorism. It is almost unpatriotic not to love Israel.”
– Rudy Giuliani, Italian-American mayor of New York. 1944 AD
Dolsten, J. (2016): Rudy Giuliani Says He Drew Inspiration From Israel After 9/11. March 15 2016.
“We can establish that Israel is a tiny country in the Middle East surrounded by Arab people and countries that are hostile to Israel. We can establish that Israel has blessed the world with science and research in many different fields and that their culture is well known throughout the world. We can think that Israel is a beautiful country with a wonderful nature. (...) After the exile that affected them in the year 70 when Jerusalem was taken and the temple destroyed, their flight from Israel's land commenced. The Jews came to all the world's countries and only in our time they fathered in their land again, which they reattained in 1948. It is a miracle that the Jews preserved their religion, their language and their culture after such a long diaspora. Their rehabilitation as a people, country and nation is also a miracle. Simultaneously with Israel's proclamation as an independent state, they were attacked by a number of states. Israel's neighbors disliked that the Jewish people were given this land and they wanted to directly obliterate them and wipe them off the face of the earth. It was, of course, a miracle of great measure that Israel defeated these invaders, since their military capabilities were not developed and sufficient on the day the nation was proclaimed. Much more could be said about their biblical history and about their modern history.”
– Owe Lindeskär, Swedish pastor and author. 1944 AD
Lindeskär, O.: Vad tänker du på när du hör ordet Israel?. In: Varför Israel?. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“A state founded by refugees of and survivors of religious persecution, Israel has been and continues to be one of America's closest and most consistent allies. This desert nation exists in a region that is, unfortunately, as steeped in violence as it is rich in history and tradition. (…) One of the saddest aspects of the terrorism situation in Israel is that it grabs the newspaper headlines and distracts the world from seeing the many advances made by Israel in democracy and human rights, science, agriculture, transportation, and so many other areas. Despite nearly impossible odds, Israel's will to survive and her people's dogged determination have resulted in the development of a thriving democracy in one of the globe's least democratic regions. In fact, in only 60 years Israel has grown into a mature democracy that has produced some of the finest thinkers, scientists and entrepreneurs of the modern era.”
– Carolyn McCarthy née Cook, Scots-Irish American Representative (Dem) from New York. 1944 AD
April 23, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 65 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“Israel has a strong and vibrant democratic tradition, and a prosperous and innovative free-market economy. (...) Hope is the foundation on which Israel was built. It is what enabled people of so many backgrounds and languages to speak with a common voice.It is what enabled them to bring water to a desert and grow crops where there had only been sand.”
– Dick Durbin, Irish-American Senator (Dem) from Illinois. 1944 AD
May 8, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 76 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“Out of the atrocities and horrors of the Second World War, the long sought dream of re-establishing that [Jewish] homeland was finally realized. In 1948, Israel claimed its hard-fought independence. Since Israel's beginnings, the United States has held a special bond with this important ally. As the only liberal democracy in the region, Israel knows all too well what it means to fight against violent agents of intolerance and religious extremism for the sake of personal freedom and fair government. From the birth of their modern state, the Israeli people have struggled to keep and maintain their homeland.”
– John Tanner, American Representative (Dem) from Tennessee. 1944 AD
April 23, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 65 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“Israel sets the example for the nations of the Middle East, as the only true democracy in that region. For the past 60 years, Israel has been a sanctuary of democracy and pluralism in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes. Israel is the only country in the Middle East with free elections, a free press, freedom of religion, protection for minority rights and other safeguards typical of a free society. Like the United States, Israel is a country founded by immigrants. Since its founding, the tiny state has absorbed more than three million immigrants from more than 100 countries, including Jews from the former Soviet Union and those forced to flee from Arab countries. (...) Despite its small size, Israel is recognized as a world leader in the quality of its indigenously developed military technology. As such, the U.S. has incorporated Israeli equipment and technology into its armed forces.”
– Silvestre Reyes, Mexican-American Representative (Dem) from Texas. 1944 AD
April 22, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 64 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“Despite its harsh beginnings, this inspirational country along the River Jordan has, for over half a century, fended off threats to its sovereignty and to its survival. And it has done so even as it has built a pluralistic society grounded in the highest ideals of equality, representative government, and democratic principles. (...) a nation as threatened as Israel could certainly be excused for turning inward on itself, focusing on defending its territory and citizens against terrorism, and withdrawing from an international community that has increasingly targeted it with unfair sanctions and biased political statements. It is a testament to the character and inner strength of the Israeli people that they have not allowed their country to do so. Instead, Israel has repeatedly volunteered its resources, manpower, and experience to help victims of disasters around the world. (...) It is an example to the world of the power of a determined national spirit, a citizenry dedicated to justice, and a set of founding principles that cannot be corrupted even by the constant threat of terrorism."
– Doris Matsui, Japanese-American Representative (Dem) from California. 1944 AD
April 22, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 64 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“Today, on its 60th birthday, we recognize that Israel remains an island of openness. Its success belongs to all the Israeli people and is more lasting than anything that ever happened on a battlefield. With politics that are open and vibrant, markets that are free and fair, and laws that hold for weak and strong alike, for six decades, America has been a good friend to Israel. Indeed, it only took us but 11 minutes to recognize this new state, this new ally, in May 1948. For nearly 60 years America and Israel have been two nations that can look across the gulf of history and space and language, and still see, in each other, themselves.”
– Chris Dodd, Irish-American Senator (Dem) from Connecticut. 1944 AD
May 8, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 76 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session
“I have a great admiration for the State of Israel, and am happy to regard myself as a friend (…) of the country. It’s difficult not to admire a small but brave nation surrounded by hostile neighbours, and a democracy surrounded by essentially totalitarian states, several of which would deny Israel the right to exist. When that country has also developed an effective modern economy, despite the barriers to trade with its neighbours, has managed to excel in hi-tech industries, and has harnessed cutting edge agricultural technology until (almost literally) it has made the desert blossom like the rose, the admiration becomes wonderment.”
– Roger Helmer, English member of European parliament (UKIP). 1944 AD
"We respect Israel’s heritage, which is part of our own European heritage. Whenever we deride our Jewish heritage in Europe, we deride our own values. Whenever we show contempt for Israel’s contribution to our own civilisation, we show contempt for a valuable aspect of our own identity. Whenever we deny the incalculable suffering of the Jewish people, we deny the basis of our own dignity."
– Hans-Gert Pöttering, Lower-Saxon/German President of the European parliament. 1945 AD
Speech by the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering to the Knesset. 30 May 2007.
”Out of sacrifice and grief rose the State of Israel,
which is an island of stability for the western world.”
– Pietro Grasso, Italian President. 1945 AD
"How can we involve Israel and prompt it to contribute to the affairs of the region? I am going to say something that I say for the first time. Israel is a state that is present in this region. We all understand this, we know this; the world is also aware of this fact. But despite that, Israel is not being treated by the other countries as it is treating the other countries. Maybe it is time for Israel to be treated the same and it should also bear the same obligations as other countries. Why? Those are really facts. History says that the Torah saw the light in the Middle East, that the prophets of Israel were born in the Middle East, and that the Jews also used to live in this area of the world."
– Yusuf bin Alawi, Omani Foreign Minister. 1945 AD
Bin Alawi, Y. (2018): The 14th IISS Manama Dialogue. 27 October 2018.
"It appears to be an ineradicable reflex, this eternal excuse of and for Jew-hatred. Whenever Jews are persecuted, they must have provoked it in some way or another. They were too rich, or too smart, or the other way around, too weak or too foreign. Or they just shouldn't have been Jews. That was the Shoah, that all time low. Whatever Jews thought, believed or did, was of no importance. Their unforgivable error was existing. This is the case for Israel mutatis mutandis. The world can live with the cruelest of states and regimes. No one will say they may not exist. As the only state on this planet, Israel is considered to be erronous by a part of the so-called international community, simply because it exists. (...) 75 years after the decision of the United Nations regarding a two-state settlement in the Mandate of Palestine; 75 years after the establishment of Israel, which was immediately attacked by Egypt, Syria and Jordan with the pious wish of driving the Jews into the sea; 75 years after Israel received a single modest percent of the former Ottoman territories in the Middle East; 75 years later, the Arab world is still unable to say: 'We are not happy that you are here, but the conflict has been too long. We will all gain from a peace'."
– Mia Doornaert, Flemish journalist. 1945 AD
Column. De Standaard 19 oktober. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“As representatives of the youth we [want] (…) to regularly send our U18-Nationalmannschaft (…) to a winter competition in Israel in the future. (…) Why do we do this, one might ask. The answer is simple: because it is important. Because it is more important than a training course in whichever sports school. On such journeys these young people will learn something about football, but most of all about life. They learn more vividly and directly than anywhere else about the so incomprehensible, abominable crimes that went forth from their homeland. And they learn something about the societal responsibility that derives from this past for everybody. Being a German national player also means to be conscious of German history. The journeys to Israel may not make every talent into a better footballer, but perhaps it’ll make some teenagers into better human beings.”
– Theo Zwanziger, Hessian president of the German Football Association (DFB). 1945 AD
Zentralrat der Juden (2009): Rede von DFB-Präsident Dr. Theo Zwanziger. 02.11.2009. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“[The IDF has a] superb system, which enabled us to learn lessons very quickly and make changes [under combat conditions]. We made changes in two weeks that would have taken two years to make under normal conditions.”
– David K. Heebner, American lieutenant general. 1945 AD
Committee on Foreign Affairs (1991): Foreign Assistance Legislation for Fiscal Years 1992-93. Page 347.
(BEWARE: Livingstone has made controversial remarks that have been interpreted as anti-Semitic)
"When I went to Israel and stopped by a kibbutz, I felt completely at home there. Everyone was a leftie like me."
– Ken Livingstone, British mayor of London. 1945 AD
JTA (2016): After Linking Hitler and Zionism, ex-London Mayor Livingstone Muses Over His 'Jewish Roots'. In: HaAretz. June 19, 2016.
“I’m not only a fan of Israel, but I am a believer in Israel. I think this is an extraordinary country filled with very, very extraordinary people. I know that there is a foundation of deep intelligence, thoughtfulness, commitment [and] poetry even in Israel that is very, very special,” “The extraordinary magical energy of a country just beginning to put its roots in the ground — it was an amazing time to be here.I believe in the existence of Israel, and I believe Israel has to go forward into the future for the rest of eternity. And I believe in Israel because of the Holocaust.”
– Helen Mirren, English actor. 1945 AD
The Hollywood Reporter (2016): Helen Mirren Discourages Israel Boycott. “This Is an Extraordinary Country”. June 22, 2016, 7:49 AM.
Ghermezian, S. (2023): Helen Mirren Explains Why She Ignores BDS Pressure, Praises Israel. IN: The Algemeiner. August 29 2023, 10:10 AM.
“Let me just tell you what the Cain doctrine would be as it relates to Israel if I were president. You mess with Israel; you are messing with the United States of America. It’s that simple. I want to protect that relationship because they have been our only consistent ally in that part of the world.”
– Herman Cain, African-American politician (GOP) and radio host. 1945 AD
Fox News (2011): Herman Cain. Obama "Threw Israel Under The Bus". 2011-05-20.
“Allies and friends of America must know that our word is our bond. We will stand with our ally Israel, a democracy on the front lines of terror and barbarism. (…) Those who don’t understand how important it is that we stand with Israel, because of its values and its greatness and because its such a wonderful ally, don’t understand what Israel has done for us... What better example of an ally, who will go beyond the call of duty in support of us, then Israel showed us in 1991.”
– George Pataki, Hungarian-American Governor (GOP) of New York. 1945 AD
Remarks Announcing Candidacy for President in Exeter, New Hampshire. May 28, 2015.
“The state of Israel and the peoples of Israel behaved with great courage and forebearance during the Gulf war. (…) They were subjected to an unprovoked and brutal attack by a tyrant but did not strike back. (…) The wider world is grateful to them for the restraint that they showed. (…) Israel, as historically defined, is a pure democracy and we cannot impose upon it a solution that the peoples of Israel believe would imperil its very existence.”
– Douglas Hogg, British Minister (Conservative) of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. 1945 AD
House of Commons Hansard Debates for 23 May 1991
“I want to extend my warmest regards to the people of Israel and all those who made the Middle East's first democracy possible. In the wake of one of the most horrific crimes against humanity ever perpetrated, Jews from across the globe sought to form their own homeland, one that enshrined in their constitution `freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture.' (...) In Israel, Americans can see much to be admired, and we share common goals and desires. We are both home to countless innovators, entrepreneurs, scholars, thinkers, activists, immigrants, and democrats. We both strive for peace and a more just and stable world. And we are both familiar with the hard trials, tribulations, and triumphs that come to define a people and a culture.”
– John Garamendi, Basque-American Representative (Dem) from California. 1945 AD
April 21, 2010 - Issue: Vol. 156, No. 57 — Daily Edition 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) - 2nd Session
“Over these last 50 years, the American people have formed a profound friendship with the people of Israel, and these bonds of friendship and cooperation have been significant for both our countries, and we give thanks for the miracle of her survival; for the history of Israel and the Jewish people is the story of redemption and freedom of all oppressed peoples everywhere.”
– Nick Lampson, Italian-American Congressman (Dem) from Texas. 1945 AD
May 14, 1998 - Issue: Vol. 144, No. 61 — Daily Edition 105th Congress (1997 - 1998) - 2nd Session.
“Israel has proved itself to be a stalwart friend of democracy in a volatile region of the world. (…) Although the history of the Land of Israel stretches back far longer than that of the United States, we share a common history as refuges to victims of persecution, and as nations that never balked to defend freedom, democracy and the inalienable rights of man.”
– Chris Shays, American Representative (GOP) from Connecticut. 1945 AD
May 2, 2006 - Issue: Vol. 152, No. 50 — Daily Edition 109th Congress (2005 - 2006) - 2nd Session.
“The Holocaust was only possible because the church did not understand its Jewish roots. (…) Church unity can only be established when we understand and appreciate these Jewish roots. (…) We sinners of the past are called to become the allies of the future and stand faithfully by our Jewish friends.”
– Christoph Schönborn, Austrian Catholic Archbishop of Vienna. 1945 AD
Philosemitism: Will Cardinal Schönborn, a friend of Israel and the Jews, be the next Pope?. 10 March 2013.
“If the Arabs only appeared in Palestine in 638 at a moment when Jews were already there for several thousands of years, you could say that the settlement of Palestine by European Jews was actually a form of DE-colonization. The Jews brought an end to 1300 years of Islamic occupation. If one insists on viewing the immigration of the Jews after 1880 as colonization, then it was an exrtremely humane colonization, or rather a form of development aid. For Palestine was in 1880 virtually a depopulated and desolate area. The Jews got an unprecedented welfare going there since 1880. Thanks to a tremendous effort by the Jews, poverty and stagnation were overcome. The unscrupulous irrationalism of Islam, that everywhere and always takes on the shape of mobsterlike feudalistic governance, was, where Jews governed, displaced by the Jewish culture of rationale and justice. Historically, colonialism normally meant in Africa and Asia that a colonizer acquired colonies to gain control over resources and to exploit the labor of natives. That was completely out of the question in Palestine for Jewish immigrants. Extremely heavy physical labor awaited them there; they had to forego any comfort and it took years before the labor bore fruit. Another peculiarity regarding this 'colonialism': the Jews BOUGHT the land that they went on to cultivate, usually against extortionate prices. Curious that Israel is the only country that is continually accused of 'stealing' the land in Palestine.”
– Martien Pennings, Dutch historian and author. 1945 AD
Pennings, M. (2022): Is de Holocaust de rechtvaardiging voor het bestaan van Israël?. 20 oktober 2022. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“The U.S. must continue to nurture and safeguard our special relationship with the state of Israel. (...) We have been there for Israel because Israel is there for us. Israel is a stable democracy in a region filled with dictatorship. As Israel has matured, our close ties also bring America a fair trading partner and a fellow pioneer on the high-tech frontier of medicine and communications that will enrich Americans’ lives in the coming century. Our two countries must continue to stand strong together as pillars of freedom and progress. (...) I love and respect Israel and its citizens. Israel and the US share so many common values, like free speech, freedom of worship, and the special emphasis on creating opportunities for all citizens to fulfill their dreams. (…) I know well that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, and that it is the only one that defends human rights, and that it is a ray of hope for many people."
– Donald Trump, President of the United States (GOP). 1946 AD
Trump, D. (2000): America We Deserve. Page 132-133.
“We have agreed that Turkey and Israel should cooperate in restructuring the Middle East. (…) Both Turkey and Israel had been blessed with unique and courageous founding fathers – Atatürk and Ben-Gurion – whose best achievements continue as guideposts for our respective nations today, leaders whose reputations have stood up in history.”
– Tansu Çiller, Prime Minister of Türkiye. 1946 AD
Bozdaglioglu, Y. (2004): Turkish Foreign Policy and Turkish Identity. Page 147.
"America and Israel share a special bond. Our relations are unique among all nations. Like America, Israel is a strong democracy, as a symbol of freedom, and an oasis of liberty, a home to the oppressed and persecuted… The relationship between our two countries is built on shared understandings and values… (…) Israel's democracy is the bedrock on which our relationship stands. It's a shining example for people around the world who are on the frontline of the struggle for democracy in their own lands."
– William J. Clinton, President of the United States (Dem). 1946 AD
Frangipane, F. (1999): America at the Threshold of Destiny.
“Israel has a special place in my heart. (…) I personally think that now I understand why Jews, Israelis think they’re the Chosen People: because God was very kind with them. God decided not to put any natural resources in Israel and therefore obliged their leaders to develop their mind, and educational quality. Israel is admired for what it has done. It has become a technology power in the world, just because of the minds of the people. And so, I have to confess publicly that I’m a deep admirer of Israel.”
– Alejandro Toledo, Quechuan President of Peru. 1946 AD
“Israel is a beacon of democracy for the region and has had, since its founding out of the ashes of the Holocaust, a special relationship with the United States. It is one of America's staunchest allies, and the United States is in turn committed to Israel's survival.”
– Barbara Bush née Welch, First Lady of the United States. 1946 AD
Bush, B. (2010): Spoken from the Heart.
“Israel, the most faithful ally that we have. You know why I love Israel? They wrote the Bible. That's why I love them. When God chose to become flesh 2015 years ago, you know what kind of flesh he became? Jewish flesh. Theirs’ are the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. They wrote the Bible, for crying out loud!”
– Phil Robertson, American businessman and hunter from Louisiana. 1946 AD
Ong, C. (2015): Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson slams Iran, loves Israel. In: Christian Today. 11 September 2015.
“Israel has enormous importance in Italian foreign policy. Over the past decade that policy has considered the solid and highly developed Israeli democracy a value not only for the region but for the entire international community. (…) Israel’s security and right to life are indivisible from Italy’s security and existence.”
– Giulio Terzi, Italian Foreign Minister. 1946 AD
Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale: Interview detail. September 05 2012.
“Despite being located in one of the most arid places in the world, Israel is independent in terms of water resources and has demonstrated the way to manage water resources. India has a lot to earn from Israel in this sector.”
– Kamal Nath, Indian Minister of Environment, Commerce and Transport. 1946 AD
India can learn water management technology from Israel. In: The Economic Times. 9 May 2012.
“The quality of Israeli research is among the best in the world and it would be stupid from our side to boycott that. (…) Whenever it comes to the existence of the state, we’re always on Israel’s side. (…) The security of the State of Israel and the safety of its people is a condition for anything else.”
– Elmar Brok, Westphalian/German member of European parliament. 1946 AD
Mössbauer, K. (2014): Israels Außenminister Lieberman zu deutschen Politikern „Wir sind dankbar für die Unterstützung“. In: Bild. 30.07.2014 - 23:49 Uhr. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“The only memorial in the Middle East to honor 3,000 innocent Americans brutally murdered on the morning of 9/11 is in Israel. As crowds in the West Bank and Gaza rushed into the streets to celebrate the murderous attack of 9/11, Israelis mourned with us, lowered their flag as we lowered ours, and wept with us. (…) I stand with Israel because of the seven million Jews who live today in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Judea and Samaria, and are surrounded by millions of fanatics who lust for their blood and want a second Holocaust. I support Israel because I don’t want murderous Islamists dancing on the Via Dolorosa. I don’t want to see Jewish graves desecrated, the Western Wall defiled and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher turned into a garbage dump. Israel guarantees religious freedom, the Palestinian extremists do not. (…) [Israel] is the only Jewish nation in the world, the apple of God’s eye, and one of the pillars of Judeo-Christian civilization, our most reliable ally in the Middle East, a people who tell their children to love life, not death, the land where the patriarchs lived, a country that believes in freedom and tolerance, who have turned a desert into an oasis of progress and achievement.”
– Gary Bauer, American politician and activist. 1946 AD
Bauer, G. (2013): Why this Christian Supports Israel. In: Jewish Press. August 8, 2013.
“Israel is indispensible to Europe. (…) If there’s one country in the world that has had to face mostly external threats, deadly threats, up until today, and that has built up an enormous expertise in counterterrorism and intelligence services, it’s Israel. (…) I can easily understand why, entirely in secret but very occasionally (every couple of months), the intelligence services of big European member states – I am thinking particularly of England, Germany, France, Italy, but there are probably others too – why their security experts are being informed by, mind you, ISRAELI experts, on EUROPEAN soil, about threats that will manifest themselves in EUROPE.”
– Bas Belder, Dutch member of European parliament (SGP). 1946 AD
Bas Belder tijdens vergadering ondernemersplatform Christenen voor Israël. In: Youtube. 28 April 2014. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel has developed a vibrant and diverse democratic society. It is home to an innovative technology sector with more start-ups than any other country except the United States. (...) Israel has been a place of refuge and opportunity for thousands coming from countries as diverse as Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union. And Israel has provided relief around the world for victims of natural disasters in Haiti, Southeast Asia and elsewhere. It has done all this while being surrounded by enemies.”
– Niki Tsongas née Sauvage, American Representative (Dem) from Massachusetts. 1946 AD
Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress. Volume 156. Pt. 5. April 21, 2010.
"Israel is a vigorous democracy, our strongest ally in the Middle East. Her economy is thriving, in large part as a result of her agricultural, technological and medical innovations. (…) Israel constitutes a fraction of 1% of the land mass and only 2% of the population of the Middle East. Nonetheless, Israel far outshines much of the world in terms of academic, scientific and technological achievement. Israel has the highest ratio of university degrees per capita in the world and produces more scientific papers and more books per capita than any other nation in the world. It is the only nation in the world that has had a net increase in the number of trees. Israel has transformed itself from an impoverished backwater to a gleaming modern nation, ranking among the very highly developed countries of the world.”
– Carolyn Maloney née Bosher, American Representative (Dem) from New York. 1946 AD
Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress. Volume 156. Pt. 5. April 21, 2010.
“Since May 1948, the Jewish state has transformed itself from a fledgling band of pioneers and immigrants to a strong, robust, and democratic state. Israel has been an indispensible friend over the years and remains our greatest ally in the Middle East. One of the world's most innovative and exemplary countries, Israel has lived up to its founding ideal of being a ‘light unto the nations’. (…)Politically, Israel has built a sanctuary of democracy, the rule of law, and basic rights and freedoms. Religiously, Israel has built a tolerant society for the Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Bahai who share the Holy Land. Economically, it is a modern marvel, home of some of the most high-level technological advances in the world. In the field of agricultural production, which is so important to my home State of South Dakota, Israel has done the so-called impossible and it has made the desert bloom. The invention of the surface drip irrigation system revolutionized farmers' ability to bring water to their crops, creating a lasting benefit for the entire world.”
– Tim Johnson, Nordic-American Senator (Dem) from South Dakota. 1946 AD
May 12, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 77 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“In the conflict over Israel, for me Israel's right to exist as a Jewish State is a guiding principle and decisive. Is that an affect of the Western guilt after WWII? Certainly, that plays a role. We cannot easily rid ourselbmves of that guilt. Yet, that is not the only reason. More important is the fact that the endeavor for a state of their own is the expression of Jewish self-awareness, which was awakened long before WWII, and was in fact never totally gone in history in the first place.”
– At Polhuis, Dutch pastor. 1946 AD
Polhuis, A.: Het Gaza manifest. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“The modern State of Israel is still tied to the ancient Kingdom of Israel, first established over three thousand years ago. The recognition of their history, and respect of tradition, has helped guide Israel's leaders for the past fifty years. (...) The desire of the Jewish people to establish an independent modern State of Israel is the outgrowth of the existence of the historic Kingdom of Israel established three thousand years ago in the city of Jerusalem and in the land of Israel. (...) Since its establishment 50 years ago, the modern State of Israel has rebuilt a nation, forged a new and dynamic society, and created a unique and vital economic, political, cultural, and intellectual life despite the heavy cost of six wars, terrorism, international ostracism, and economic boycotts. (...) The people of Israel have established a vibrant and functioning pluralistic democratic political system including freedom of speech, a free press, free and fair and open elections, the rule of law, and other democratic principles and practices.”
– Rodney Frelinghuysen, Dutch-American Representative (GOP) from New Jersey. 1946 AD
May 12, 1998 - Issue: Vol. 144, No. 59 — Daily Edition 105th Congress (1997 - 1998) - 2nd Session.
“Since its founding, Israel has been one of America's staunchest allies. As the only democracy in the Middle East, a close relationship between the United States and Israel helps ensure stability in that region. (...) Born out of the tragedy of World War II and the Holocaust, Israel provides a safe and secure homeland for Jewish people from the entire world.”
– Dutch Ruppersberger, German-American Congressman (Dem) from Maryland. 1946 AD
April 22, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 64 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“Through struggle and sacrifice, ingenuity and innovation, Israel has managed 60 years in a dangerous and unstable region of the world. Sixty years ago, Israel's pioneers began to revitalize an ancient land. Today, Israelis remain pioneers at heart – pioneers for peace, prosperity and progress. They are once again facing challenges in their homeland with determination and a vision for a better future for their children and for their country.”
– Ed Markey, Irish-American Senator and Congressman (Dem) from Massachusetts. 1946 AD
“Since 1948, Israel has been a reliable and steadfast ally to the United States, and our support helps to ensure the security of its territory and citizens. A strong and healthy relationship with Israel is critical to the endurance of democracy in the greater Middle East and the United States will continue to stand with Israel to ensure its survival, peace and prosperity.”
– Mel Martínez, Cuban-American Senator (GOP) from Florida. 1946 AD
May 8, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 76 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
”I fell in love with Israel at first sight. Israel, beacon of democracy, human rights and advanced technologies. I was amazed by the technological advancement, the sophisticated agriculture and the wonderful taste of the fruit and vegetables. I plan to visit Israel again soon.”
– Arnold Schwarzenegger, Austrian-American Governor (GOP) of California. 1947 AD
“When Americans look at Israel, we see a pioneer spirit that worked an agricultural miracle and now leads a high-tech revolution. We see world-class universities and a global leader in business and innovation and the arts. We see a resource more valuable than oil or gold: the talent and determination of a free people who refuse to let any obstacle stand in the way of their destiny.”
– George W. Bush, President of the United States (GOP). 1947 AD
Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States. 2003. Page 684.
“To step foot into Israel is to step foot into a nation that began with an ancient promise made in this land. The Jewish people persisted through one of the most monstrous crimes in human history, and now this nation has come to take its place among the most impressive democracies on earth. Israel’s achievements are a wonder of the modern world. These achievements are a tribute to the resilience of the Israeli people. You have managed, against all odds, time and again throughout your history, to persevere, to rise up, and to emerge stronger. (...) Our two nations are separated by more than 5,000 miles. But for an American abroad, you can’t get much closer to the ideals and convictions of my own country than you do in Israel. We’re part of the great fellowship of democracies. We speak the same language of freedom and justice, and the right of every person to live in peace. We serve the same cause and provoke the same hatreds in the same enemies of civilization.”
– Mitt Romney, American Governor (GOP) of Massachusetts. 1947 AD
Mitt Romney’s address in Jerusalem. 29 July 2012.
"I wish to reaffirm Europe's commitment to, and its special responsibility for, the existence of Israel as a Jewish state and as a democracy living in security and peace with its neighbours. (…) Israel is, by reason of its population and its democratic political culture, a natural partner of Europe. We can see this in sport, where the European - and I do mean European - champion basketball team is Israeli.”
– Josep Borrell, Catalan/Spanish EP President. 1947 AD
Ahren, R. (2019): Tough on Israel, fond of Iran. Jerusalem wary of incoming EU foreign policy czar. In: Times of Israel. 3 July 2019, 11:16 pm.
“As a sovereign nation and the only true democracy in the Middle East, Israel is a friend and ally of all freedom-loving people. The United States must stand by her unequivocally and with the full force of our unassailable friendship.”
– James Woods, Irish-American actor and producer. 1947 AD
Twitter 9:20 a.m. - 7 okt. 2023.
“Israel – born in the wake of millions’ sacrifice – could only enjoy the jubilation of its independent statehood for a couple of hours, because series of wars and conflicts – embittering the lives of the Israeli population and those of the neighboring peoples – began and lasted until now. Nevertheless Israel grew up and became a nation prospering in the field of intellectual and material goods, and a state following a democratic value system. As an outcome of the work of the founding fathers and that of the succeeding generations, Israel became a developed country, one of the top-ranking vanguards in the field of science and technology. In Hungary we have got many reasons to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel. After having lived in centuries-long historical coexistence with the Jewry, during the 19th century the Hungarian Jewish community played an outstanding role in the Hungarian national renaissance. The Jews’ talent and work had contributed to Hungary’s becoming a dynamically developing cultural and scientific center – on European level – by the beginning of the 20th century.”
– Kinga Göncz, Hungarian Foreign Minister. 1947 AD
“We are committed to a State of Israel that is secure, democratic, prosperous, and Jewish. Be assured that the overwhelming majority of American Christians are joined at the hip with American Jews in standing by Israel during this hour of turmoil or any other time of crisis. We believe in your nationhood and we believe in your right to secure, defensible borders. (…) Americans know real peace in the Middle East can only come when the region accepts that Israel is not only here to stay, but is a welcome neighbor and a valued economic partner; when it’s universally agreed that this region can be home to people of all faiths, not just one faith.”
– Haley Barbour, American Governor of Mississipi (GOP). 1947 AD
El Escobillon (2012): En memoria de Horacio Vázquez-Rial. 6 de Septiembre de 2012 a las 17:14.
”Why do I think we must defend the state of Israel? Well, as I believe in the defense of any State, like Serbia, for example. I believe in the right of any organized people to exist and defend themselves. In the case of Israel there is a complementary issue: if it disappeared it would allow the planetary pogrom. That anti-Semitic ideological background that today focuses on attacking the state of Israel would develop. If Israel did not exist, the Jews would be attacked directly and long nights of broken glass would begin all over the planet.”
– Horacio Vázquez-Rial, Argentine-Spanish author and translator. 1947 – 2012 AD
El Escobillón (2012): En memoria de Horacio Vázquez-Rial. 6 de Septiembre de 2012 a las 17:14
“Anyone who understands a little about the Israeli people will not feel any malice towards them. Chinese people like to talk about the many toils and troubles in our modern history. Much of this is our own fault. But for Jews their troubles are almost all due to external reasons. They have suffered continuously over thousands of years, and all purely because of faith. During turbulent years of war and long periods of drifting, this hungry and suffering group, who have been through killing and bullying, still kept up their faith against adversity and worked energetically and developed tenaciously. They didn’t falter, but, as if by miracle, made huge achievements in the fields of science and technology, military, education, modern agriculture, attracting worldwide attention. (…) They see education as a lifetime mission, and wisdom has a higher place than money. (...) A country which has been in warfare since its establishment, which has been besieged from all sides, but still placing such importance on education – this is a country which deserves our deep respect.”
– Zhou Xiaozheng, Chinese sociologist. 1947 AD
Xin Liu, A. (2009): Israel. A country which deserves our deep respect. In: Danwei. 2009-01-22.
“As a Christian I’ve come down here today to make it known that I have given my (…) support to the State of Israel. But not just to the State of Israel, but to the undivided State of Israel. That same support I wish to offer and give to the people known affectionately around the world as the Jews. (…) And also to the promises that were made in the Bible, to Abraham, to Moses and to David and beyond that the Land of Israel has been bequeathed. The deed has been written by God Almighty, and it is not subject to anyone’s contemporary ideas of change. Let that be known.”
– James David Manning, African-American pastor. 1947 AD
“The State of Israel is the premiere functioning democracy in the Middle East and has been a steadfast ally of our great nation since its inception. (…) The citizens of Israel have persevered in the face of great adversity to establish and maintain a free and democratic nation in their homeland. Israel was founded on the principles of a shared destiny of the Jewish people and their cultural heritage. Despite the acts of violence and wars that have ensued, Israel has persisted in its pursuit of its right to exist in the Middle East. Israel has also played the important role of a refuge for the Jewish people, as well as African peoples, who have suffered great atrocities. I speak from my heart, having personally witnessed the beauty and majesty of Israel and its people.”
– Al Green, African-American Representative (Dem) from Texas. 1947 AD
April 27, 2012 - Issue: Vol. 158, No. 62 — Daily Edition 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) - 2nd Session.
“In the wake of the Holocaust, the nation of Israel was established as a refuge for millions of Jews who survived horrendous crimes committed by the Nazis. Over the course of the next fifty-eight years, the people of Israel demonstrated the resiliency of the human spirit while overcoming tremendous obstacles. Their country now serves as a source of pride for the Jewish people and a strong partner in democracy with over 160 countries.”
– Joe Wilson, American Representative (GOP) from South Carolina. 1947 AD
May 2, 2006 - Issue: Vol. 152, No. 50 — Daily Edition 109th Congress (2005 - 2006) - 2nd Session.
“Both America and Israel are founded on a deeply optimistic assumption. We believe that life within a free, open, pluralistic society liberates men and women to lead lives of meaning and accomplishment. It's the essence of liberal, democratic capitalism and it has raised more people to success and fulfillment than any other secular idea. (…) Israel and the United States differ greatly in size, population, and natural resources. But in the things that truly matter, our countries are strikingly similar. The fundamental measures of our spirit, ideals, and aspirations show that Israel and America are kindred nations. Our Founders were profoundly influenced by faith. Both countries practice religious tolerance. Both countries are filled with immigrants summoned by dreams. For people fleeing the storms of persecution, both countries have been safe harbors. (…) In a land largely barren of freedom, we must preserve the lone fountain of liberty.”
– Tom DeLay, American Representative (GOP) from Texas. 1947 AD
Brog, D. (2016): Standing With Israel. Why Christians Support Israel. Page 79.
“Israel’s history is the story of brave men and women who took risks. They did the hard thing because they believed and knew it was right. (…) Warriors who were so gallant in battle, but then offered their adversaries a hand of peace because they thought it would make their beloved Israel stronger.”
– Hillary Clinton née Rodham, First Lady of the United States and Senator (Dem) from New York. 1947 AD
Secretary Clinton Remarks to AIPAC Annual Conference. March 22, 2010.
“While Israel is the world capital of Torah learning, it is among the world's leaders in high-tech, medical, and scientific advances. In 1948, there were only two universities; today there are eight. On a per capita basis, Israel's GDP places it in the top tier of all nations. Democratic institutions flourish there. Both Jews and Arabs serve in Israel's Parliament, the Knesset. Additionally, Israel has an independent, effective judiciary and a free press. (…) For the people of Israel, to its citizens, our message is simple and clear: We will continue to stand in solidarity with you. We are proud of what you have become.”
– Tom Carper, US Senator (Dem) from Delaware. 1947 AD
May 8, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 76 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session
“It has taken too long before we, as Churches, recognized: anti-Semitism is, like any form of racism, inhuman. Anti-Semitism is ‘sin against the Holy Ghost’. Anti-Semitism is blasphemy. (…) Anti-Semitic prejudice and the questioning of Israel’s right to exist may not masquerade as peace ethic. (…) We, too, stand up unyieldingly for Jewish life in Germany! We, too, see no burden in Jewish life in our neighborhood, but rather an enrichment. It fills us with deep gratefulness, that this has become a reality in Germany once more after the Shoah! Therefore, every form of Jew-hatred will experience contradiction and resistance in our country.”
– Nikolaus Schneider, Rhenish/German evangelic theologian. 1947 AD
Schneider, N. (2014): Statement anlässlich der Kundgebung „Steh auf! Nie wieder Judenhass!“ in Berlin am Brandenburger Tor. 14.09.2014. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“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. (…) 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.”
– Olympia Snowe née Bouchles, Greek-American Senator (GOP) from Maine. 1947 AD
May 14, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 79 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“On May 14, 1948, the Jewish people proudly stood up and, for the first time in 2000 years, renewed for themselves a Jewish homeland. Today, Israel is the only real and stable democracy in the Middle East, and a true friend to the United States. In the past 60 years, Israel has built a vibrant and pluralistic society, become a leader in the high tech and renewable energy sectors, produced 8 Nobel Prize laureates, freed and welcomed oppressed Jews from across the globe, and has continued to be a champion of humanitarian causes throughout the world. Despite war and terrorism, Israel remains dedicated to a lasting peace with its neighbors. I pray for hatikva, the hope of the Jewish people, to continue to flourish in Israel.”
– Mike McNulty, Irish-American Representative (Dem) from New York. 1947 AD
April 22, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 64 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“After the horrible actions of the Holocaust, Israel was established as an independent nation. She has since blossomed into a successful, democratic, and booming nation. In times of uncertainty over the last 60 years, Israel has been a friend and a strong ally to the United States.”
– Joe Baca, Mexican-American Representative (Dem) from California. 1947 AD
April 26, 2010 - Issue: Vol. 156, No. 59 — Daily Edition 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) - 2nd Session.
“After nearly 2,000 years without a homeland, Jewish independence was restored with the creation of Israel in 1948. The creation of Israel gave the Jewish people a state in the land where their religion, culture, and history date back over 4,000 years. In the last 58 years, Israel has faced many struggles: conflicts with its neighbors, terrorism on its borders, and problems with many in the international community regarding the Palestinian people.Despite these struggles, Israel has grown from a state of less than a million people in 1948, to a state of over seven million today. The Israeli people have created one of the strongest democracies in the world, renowned for their scientific, technological, medical and agricultural innovations. Their commitment to promoting human rights, to protecting the rule of law, and to open and fair elections is unparallel in the region and is an inspiration to oppressed people around the globe.”
– Gene Green, American Representative (Dem) from Texas. 1947 AD
May 3, 2006 - Issue: Vol. 152, No. 51 — Daily Edition 109th Congress (2005 - 2006) - 2nd Session.
"If the price of democracy is eternal vigilance, then today we should all rise to honour the 61st celebration of Israel's independence. Every day for 61 years Israelis have turned the necessity of vigilance into the nutrition of survival and invention. In fact, Israel's high tech sector, the arts, and universities are world leaders. (…) Israeli Jews, Muslims and Christians celebrate their freedom.”
– Joe Volpe, Italian-Canadian MP. 1947 AD
Statement by Joseph Volpe. April 28, 2009 (40th Parliament, 2nd Session).
“Israel spends less money on health than the average in the OECD, but the results
are good and advanced. I’ve come here to learn from your excellent health system.”
– Margaret Chan, Chinese WHO Director-General. 1947 AD
Kalman, A. (2013): WHO head visits Israel, praises health infrastructure. In: The Times of Israel. 21 April 2013.
"For more than four millennia, Judaism has struggled over four continents and six civilizations. After enslavement by the pharaohs, wanderings in Canaan, destruction in Judah, captivity in Babylon, after the strife of the Maccabeans, oppression by the Romans, as children of the ghetto in the middle ages, as victims of the camps, Judaism has survived and Israel survives. It survives and is nurtured every day by the morality of the Torah, the social justice of the prophets, and the eternal Jewish values of family and faith. It survives not as an artifact or a monument. No, Israel is vital and is constantly renewed by its diversity and its creativity. Israel has proven to be far more than the land of milk and honey. It is a land of poetry and culture and learning and life, of technology and science and commerce, of productivity and prosperity unrivaled virtually anywhere in the world."
– Al Gore, Irish-American Vice President (Dem). 1948 AD
Israel 50th Anniversary. 27 April 1998.
“Jewry has been a part of Germany for a thousand years, of its society, its language, its culture. And this is especially true for the era since the liberation from the Ghetto’s following the French Revolution. Mendelssohn, Heine, Börne, Marx, Einstein, Lise Meitner, Wittgenstein, Kafka, Rathenau, Buber, Adorno and many other great names of German Jewry – these are names, without which the German intellectual history is simply not conceivable. And the same counts for the science, art and economy of Germany. (…) The establishment of the State of Israel (…) came too late for six million European Jews. This was and is a terrible tragedy. Israel emerged from the ashes of the Shoah, as the homestead of Jews all over the world and, at the same time, as a guarantee that the Shoah will never repeat itself again. (…) Israel had and has no ‘second option’ ever since the start of its existence as a start. Military inferiority is never tolerable for Israel, a balance would threaten its existence and as such dominance indispensable. ”
– Joschka Fischer, German Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor. 1948 AD
Rede des Bundesaußenminister Joschka Fischer anlässlich der Preisverleihung. 10.05.2005. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“We in the EU stand for the universality and indivisibility of human rights – we believe in democracy over theocracy, and in this region, Israel is built on a constitutional base that stands on the same values as we stand on, and this must be reminded to some of the Europeans.”
– Ana de Palacio, Basque/Spanish Foreign Minister. 1948 AD
“The State of Israel [is] a direct inheritance from the dark page of the Western European history, the page of the Holocaust on 6 million Jews. This creates, especially for Western Europe, but also for modernity in general, the duty of protecting the State of Israel against destruction. It also requires the acknowledgement that the State of Israel has been doing all the dirty work for modernity for decades throughout the struggle between modernity and Islam.”
– Pim Fortuyn, Dutch politician (LPF) and author. 1948 – 2002 AD
Fortuyn, P. (2012): De puinhopen van acht jaar paars. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“My family is very proud of the importance to Jewish people everywhere of this initiative by the British government of the day. The relevance to you all here today is that the imperative for it stemmed from the appalling Russian pogroms at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Thus, and this is what we are most proud of, the declaration was first and foremost a humanitarian act trying to repatriate a talented but much-persecuted people to the land of the original Judaic roots.”
– Roderick Balfour, Scottish nobleman and executive. 1948 AD
Times of Israel (2017): Current Lord Balfour heartily endorses 1917 declaration. 6 February 2017.
“Israel has a right to exist, like every other state in the world. And if it has the right to exist, it has the right to actively secure its existence. (…) One must not forget that Israel is the only democracy in the entire Middle East. (…) It can be said that it is for a fact that Israel’s citizens (of which 20% are Palestinians) enjoy freedoms that are totally unthinkable in the Palestinian territories or Arab states.”
– Leopold Scholtz, South African (Afrikaner) journalist and political commentator. 1948 AD
Leopold Scholtz in Maroela Media. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“The Israelis want to live in peace. They want there to be one state in the world to harbor the metastatically dispersed and heavily persecuted Jewish people. The majority of mankind must be willing to admit the necessity thereof.”
– Reijo Tossavainen, Finnish MP. 1948 AD
“Zionism is the legitimate aspiration of the Jewish people for a national homeland. After two thousand years of murderous exile, surely the Jews deserve the right to return to their Promised Land. The Jews have suffered from racism more than any other people in history. Zionism is the movement to return the Jews to protection in their ancient homeland Israel. As the Jews began to return from seventy different nations to the Promised Land in 1948 after two thousand years of exile, the government and army began to unify these widely divergent peoples into a united people through teaching them the revived Hebrew language. (…) The returning Jews have transformed the previously deserted and desolate land into the most agriculturally efficient land on earth according to the United Nations. Israel now supplies over 90 percent of the citrus fruit consumed by hundreds of millions in Europeans.”
– Grant Jeffrey, Canadian writer and teacher. 1948 – 2012 AD
Jeffrey, G.R. (2008): Prince of Darkness. Antichrist and the New World Order. Page 140.
"I came at a time like this because it is a time like this to show that I stand by Israel. I believe that she is God's special place, God's special people. He put His name on this city [i.e. Jerusalem]. And I feel in the world there's a different perspective. I believe it's time for God's people to stand up with God's people. I just want to be here to tell Israel that representing the evangelical world, that I love Israel and I'm going to be praying for her in a special way."
– Anne Graham Lotz, American evangelist. 1948 AD
Anne Graham Lotz, NRB Make Solidarity Visit to Israel.
"Inspired by the Bible, Jews have dedicated themselves to a better world for centuries. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, this trend continues at a rapid pace. Experts from Israel top the list in the areas of science, medicine, communication and security. Their inventions and products are used the world over. Tel Aviv is one of the ten most influential cities in the world in the field of technology. Israel is at the forefront in the field of solar energy with increasingly efficient solar cells. The country has the most solar water heating systems in the world. Electric cars play an increasingly important role in Israel. Currently research is being done into batteries that can reach a distance of 500 km. Battery exchange systems are already there and more and more are becoming available. The Dutch government has already shown interest. Drop irrigation in horticulture is an Israeli invention. Furthermore, 70 percent of all water is recycled, three times more than in any other country. Brackish water from the desert (Negev) is utilized for the cultivation of tomatoes and melons. Furthermore, dew is being collected as a remedy for water shortage. Israel is a market leader when it comes to computer technology. The Intel Core Duoprocessor that's in nearly every computer was developed in Israel. The same is true for Windows software, as well as voicemail technology and the Pentium MMX chip technology. The first antivirus software was developed there. Israelis provide software to companies like Ford and Boeing. The cellphone was developed there. The most recent invention regarding cellphones is the removal of distracting background noise. Factories and research centres of Apple, Intel, Microsoft, IBM and Motorola are located in Israel. In the military sphere, the country is specialized in aerial defense systems such as Iron Dome. During the last ten years, six Israeli scientists were decorated with a Nobel prize. More than a hundred big companies have their research centres in Israel. (...) When it comes to medicine, life and quality of life are paramount. A lot of medicines are from Israel and are used globally. For instance, a simple blood test has been developed to determine the difference between mild and severe types of MS. In certain cases the disease of Parkinson can be eliminated through brain stimulation. In Israel, a device was also manufactured allowing a patient to use a paralyzed hand once more. Thanks to that, there is also hope again for people after suffering from a stroke or with damaged vertebra. Furthermore, there's a device that allows young children with breathing issues to sleep better. They also succeeded in producing human monoclonal antibodies that can neutralize the highly contagious smallpox virus. Recently, a pill was developed for diabetes, replacing injections."
– Izaäk Sevensma, Dutch/Frisian member of the Protestant Church. 1948 AD
Sevensma, I. (2013): Heel de wereld profiteert van Israël. In: Reformatorisch Dagblad. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel was not simply established, it was built. It was built through the toil, strife and resolve of the Jewish people and upon the premise of hope – hope that even in the wake of the ashes of the Holocaust, goodness can prevail. And indeed, as we commemorate Israel’s 60th birthday, we can see that goodness has prevailed.”
– John Hall, American Representative (Dem) from New York. 1948 AD
May 8, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 76 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
"I am a friend of many Jews who are not Italian in the United States, even the State of Israel, and I can't convince myself that they could be so bad that someone would put a bomb under their car to blow them up."
– Rocco Buttiglione, Italian Minister of European Affairs. 1948 AD
Per la verità, per Israele. Manifestazione i Roma. 7 Ottobro 2010.
“After 2,000 years as `strangers in a strange land', the Jewish people were about to establish a homeland in the land of their fathers. (…) Since 1948, Israel has shown the world true courage and perseverance. They have made the desert bloom, fended off countless acts of aggression and built a lasting testament to the potential for democracy and freedom in the Middle East. Today, Israeli citizens speak dozens of languages and come from hundreds of countries. They include war-scarred Holocaust survivors, refugees from the ghettos of the Eastern Bloc and young pioneers from the New World. What they share is a common love of their country and commitment to their people. Like America, Israel has turned its diversity into a source of strength and pride. In New Mexico, we have a great deal of respect for those who make the desert bloom.”
– Tom Udall, American Senator (Dem) from New Mexico. 1948 AD
April 23, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 65 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
"The State of Israel was created with great courage, and it is from this courage that Israel continues to maintain its vibrant and strong democracy today. Israel's achievements over the last 62 years – in areas ranging from education and economics to science and agriculture – far surpass what could reasonably be expected of such a young nation. During my trips to Israel, I have witnessed the ingenuity and entrepreneurship of Israelis firsthand."
– Rush Holt, American Representative (Dem) from New Jersey. 1948 AD
April 21, 2010 - Issue: Vol. 156, No. 57 — Daily Edition 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) - 2nd Session.
"Almost immediately after Israel announced independence in 1948, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia all declared war on Israel, launching Israel's long fight for the mere right to exist. (...) Also, Israel has been forced to defend itself against Palestinian aggression. (...) I proudly join my colleagues in commending the people of Israel for building this democratic state in the face of terrorism, hostility, hate and war from their neighbors."
– Ted Poe, Scots-Irish American Representative (GOP) from Texas. 1948 AD
April 22, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 64 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“The current anniversary gives (…) occasion to gratefulness; gratefulness for the labor and the commitment of all women and men in Israel, who have built new bridges and made old roads passable again: politicians, scientists, entrepreneurs and artists. 60 years of Israel gives occasion to joy. Under extraordinarily difficult conditions, and based on a decision of the United Nations, not only a homeland for Jews all over the world emerged, but also an open, free society with a strong democratic state: As of today the only functioning democracy in the Middle East. (…) Nowadays, about half of the Jewish world population lives in Israel, a state, the establishment of which was in the hands of merely a fraction of the scattered Jews.”
– Norbert Lammert, Rhenish/German President of the German Bundestag. 1948 AD
Rede von Bundestagspräsidente Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert anlässlich der Jubiläumsveranstaltung der Räte im Bistum Essen in der Lichtburg Essen. 2008. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“"Despite the wars, terrorism and bloodshed, Israelis have built and maintained a model democracy and a coherent society which is respected around the globe. Since the 19th century, Jewish Australians have made a major contribution to Australian society and culture and the development of our business, cultural and intellectual assets. Jewish Australians are as important a part of our nation as any ethnic group, making Israeli Independence Day an anniversary with significance for all Australians.“
– Kim Beazley, Australian Governor (Labor) of Western Australia. 1948 AD
Australia Israel Labor Dialogue. 1 May 1998.
“"Despite the wars, terrorism and bloodshed, Israelis have built and maintained a model democracy and a coherent society which is respected around the globe. Since the 19th century, Jewish Australians have made a major contribution to Australian society and culture and the development of our business, cultural and intellectual assets. Jewish Australians are as important a part of our nation as any ethnic group, making Israeli Independence Day an anniversary with significance for all Australians.“
– Kim Beazley, Australian Governor (Labor) of Western Australia. 1948 AD
TAZ, 17.06.2011. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Living in Israel one understands that it is a small country surrounded by hundreds of millions of Arabs, most of whom are hostile toward it. (…) It seemed to me that the Netherlands could learn much from Israel concerning science and technology. I was impressed in particular by Israeli investments in venture capital in the hi-tech field. (…) A very pleasant aspect of Israel is its open society and politics.”
– Bob Hiensch, Dutch Ambassador to Israel and India. 1948 AD
[Translated by C. Nooij].
“[Israel] is a lifelong commitment on my part. If you take a look at the map - it tells us the most - and look at what we call the Arab world from Mauritania to Oman, you will see that Israel is sandwiched in between. There, Israel will continue to lay anchored in international law.”
– Göran Persson, Prime Minister of Sweden. 1949 AD
Hansson, T. (2011): Göran Persson om Israel: ”Ett livslångt engagemang”. 15 May 2011.
“There is a very strong link between Israel and the UN. We consider Israel a very important pillar of the multilateral order. The UN was directly involved in the birth of the State of Israel and this was an extremely important moment for your country and for the world.”
– António Guterres, Portuguese Secretary-General of the United Nations. 1949 AD
Lazaroff, T. (2020): Anti-Israel bias at UN has become institutionalized, Erdan tells Guterres. In: Jerusalem Post. November 14, 2020 17:24.
“Israel [owes its existence to] the power of spirit, power of the mind, determination and courage. In its way, in a real way, Israel is a great state. [It is an] outpost of our civilization.”
- Jarosław Kaczyński, Prime Minister of Poland. 1949 AD
Scislowska, M. (2017): Polish nationalist party head denounces anti-Semitism, praises Israel. In: Times of Israel. 18 September 2017, 9:52.
“Our relations are based on a thousand years of shared history. (...) Poland relates to Israel as a country in which Poland has a special interest. [Despite ties with Arabs] Israel is most important to us because of our common history. (...) Whoever says that Poland is Israel's best friend in Europe is telling the truth. It's only natural for us."
– Lech Kaczyński, President of Poland. 1949 – 2010 AD
Cashman, G.F. (2006): Polish president. We're Israel's best friend in Europe. In: Jerusalem Post. September 11 2006 22:54.
“I grew up loving and respecting Israel. I was taught that Israel was our friend and that God gave the land to the Jews. If it were not for Judaism, there would be no Christianity. My parents, my grandparents and the average preacher taught this. (…) Israel has done all it can do to cooperate with its enemies. It has given them land in exchange for peace (which is more than God or I would do). But it’s not really about land, is it? There are many Arab states in the Middle East, and just one Jewish state. Arabs and Palestinians don’t need any more land. The Middle East conflict is about killing Jews and eliminating Israel – period. (…) One thing is clear: Israel needs to defend itself, whether America helps it or not. Woe unto the nation that turns its back on Israel.”
– Jesse Lee Peterson, African-American author. 1949 AD
Lee Peterson, J. (2014): One black American for Israel. August 10, 2014
“Israel is a model state and America’s closest ally in the Middle East.”
– Bantz J. Craddock, Welsh-American general. 1949 AD
Oren, A. (2007): Haaretz Senior U.S. Commander in Europe Calls Israel 'Model State,' Important Ally. In: HaAretz. March 18 2007.
"Labor's support for the right of Israel to exist behind secure borders in a peaceful Middle East is not only long-standing, it will remain unequivocal and unshakeable."
– Simon Crean, Australian Minister for Trade. 1949 AD
Australia Israel Labor Dialogue, September 2003.
“Many leaders don’t want to understand that Israel is us. If Israel falls, so does the Occident. (…) It is historically wrong and unethical to equate Zionism with racism, because Zionism has the same roots of claiming a homeland for a people as did the Italian Risorgimento and the other European movements of national foundation and unification.”
– Piero Fassino, Italian Minister of Trade and Justice and mayor of Turin. 1949 AD
Carucci Viterbi, B.: "Sosteniamo Israele per sostenere la pace". In: UCEI. 11 January 2009. [Translated by C. Nooij].
Inchiesta Online (2014): E’ possibile una sinistra per Israele?. 25 July 2014. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“I think of Israel as a nation that God has raised up. From having been scattered over the entire earth, God brought them together after the Second World War and out of the dreadful hell that befell them in Europe during Hitler's terror. As if by a miracle, the Jewish people got their land back, the land God promised them many, many years before. This small country (the size of Småland), which is surrounded by enemies who say without concealing that their goal is to wipe out Israel, now once again experiences how the world turns against them. I have decided not to follow public opinion, rather I follow what God said and promised this little people. All nations have their shortcomings and advantages of course, the country of Israel also does. But that does not change God's promises to this people. He keeps His promises and will see to it that all His promises are fulfilled. That I believe in!”
– Ulf Christiansson, Swedish musician. 1949 AD
Christiansson, U.: Vad tänker du på när du hör ordet Israel?. In: Varför Israel?. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“How could I be anti-Zionist? (...) Unlike Islamism, Communism, Leftism, human rights, and masochistic, post-conciliar Christianity, Zionism neither opposes nor restrains in any significant way the ideals I defend, that is, the preservation of [Europe’s biocultural] identity. How would the disappearance of Israel serve my cause? For a European identitarian to think that the Hebrew state is an enemy is geopolitically stupid. (…) I consider the Jews allies, as part of European civilization, with a very particular and original status as a people apart. (…) Anti-Judaism (…) is unuseful, divisive, infantile, politically inconsistent, outdated.”
– Guillaume Faye, French author and journalist. 1949 AD
O'Meare, M. (2011): Guillaume Faye & the Jews. In: Counter-Currents. August 10, 2011.
“As far as anti-Semitism is concerned, the reality is an absolutely sad one: nobody really fights it and so it happily advances, it even organizes very popular spectacles. (…) Israel must fight on thirty-six fronts, and meanwhile her friends are distancing themselves as if they were about to change their doctrine. A democracy in the heart of the Arab world no longer seems to like a sensible idea to them, it creates too many eddies around it, it exposes the neighbors, it enrages them."
- Boualem Sansal, Algerian (Amazigh) author. 1949 AD
Prononcé en 2014, un discours de Boualem Sansal au dîner du CRIF Région Centre Orléans. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel is the land promised to the Jewish people by God. Despite conquests and expulsions of the Jews by tyrants since the age of Abraham, there has never been a time when there were not Jews living in Israel. For over 3,000 years the capital of that land has been Jerusalem.”
- Fraser Anning, Senator (Conservative National) for Queensland. 1949 AD
Parliament of Australia. Senate on 17/10/2018.
“We do not know of any other example of a small nation that lives without its own country, scattered across the earth, being able to preserve its uniqueness. The absolute maximum is at most 300 years. We can compare it with the Swedes who emigrated to the USA and who after a little over a hundred years are completely assimilated. But the Jews live. Israel's people lives. 4000 years after Abraham!”
– Göran Larsson, Swedish theologian. 1949 AD
Larsson, G.: Vad tänker du på när du hör ordet Israel?. In: Varför Israel?. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Israel has passed a test of amazing endurance, surviving and thriving in a sea of hatred, violence and terror. Its people remain optimistic, but they desperately need relief from the fear and violence that dominates daily life. I wish the Arab world could see Israel as I see it -- as a diverse society of people living in peace."
– Nonie Darwish, Egyptian-American activist. 1949 AD
Darwish, N. (2005): Inside the forbidden country. In: FrontPageMagazine. January 5, 2005.
“The United States and Israel have a unique relationship based on our mutual commitment to democracy, freedom, and peace. Therefore, just as our commitment to these principles must be steadfast, so must our support for Israel.”
– John Boehner, German-American House Speaker (GOP). 1949 AD
Keynote Address at JNF National Conference. In: The American Israelite. September 15, 2011.
“Modern Israel had the original acclamation of much of the international community; it set up a democratic parliament, established a set of basic laws, and, when other nations let boatloads of refugees sink at sea, served the Jews as the only sanctuary, free from a persecution which still exists to this day. (...) Only in their Holy Land could the Jews weave their own destinies at last – and do. Israel thrives. They have won Nobel prizes and made some of the greatest advances in science, technology, and medicine. Israelis create world-class hospitals and universities. They have written more scientific papers per capita than any other nation, and have saved children's lives – Palestinian children's lives – in a dozen operating theatres, and sent aid teams around the world to save yet more lives. Israeli ‘apartheid’? Far from it. All facilities and opportunities are equally open to all Israelis: Black, White, Arab, Christian, Jew – everyone.”
– Denis MacEoin, Northern Irish scholar and novelist. 1949 AD
MacEoin, D. (2014): Israel and the Rest of the World. In: Gatestone Institute. March 5, 2014 at 5:00 am.
“I was just struck by how [the Israeli police] can handle a scene, process and clear it and plant within it. If we had a bomb on a bus, it would take us maybe a day or two to handle. They said they just want life to go back to normal as soon as possible.”
– Diane Groomes, American Assistant DC Police Chief. 1949 AD
AICE (2012): Jewish Virtual Library. Washington, D.C. Government Missions to Israel. April 2012.
"America has a very special relationship with Israel. Israel lives in a very dangerous part of the world, and a part of the world where there aren't many liberal democracies and democracies that are controlled by the rule of law. And we very much need an ally in that part of the world."
– Elizabeth Warren née Herring, American Senator (Dem) from Massachusetts. 1949 AD
Greenwald, G. (2014): Elizabeth Warren Finally Speaks on Israel/Gaza, Sounds Like Netanyahu. In: The Intercept. August 28 2014.
“Israel's tumultuous existence has lent itself to a very unique identity – one which can only be understood by the citizens who live their everyday lives in range of the missiles and suicide attacks of terrorists. However, these unfortunate consequences of proximity have created a nation of resolve – strengthening its foundation and purpose as a shining beacon of democracy in the Middle East. Israel is a story of survival and today I honor Israel's perseverance and wish our ally a hopeful future. (…) The determined vigilance of Israel is a sobering reminder to us of what it sometimes takes to stand your ground in the face of adversity; and let us remind Israel that she does not stand alone in that fight.”
– Thelma Drake née Day, American Representative from Virginia. 1949 AD
June 17, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 100 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“I have supported the right of Israel to exist as a country and that has befriended me with many people who are Jewish. (...) Israel is still the most vibrant democracy in the Middle East. (...) Israel is the only modern, democratic and technologically advanced state in the Middle East. Compare it with the Muslim monarchies of the region and you have a stark contrast. Support for Palestinian cause comes from a fear that if Israel is allowed to exist in peace and security, its democratic values will eventually permeate the region.”
– Raheel Raza, Pakistani-Canadian journalist and author. 1949 AD
YNet News (2013): Muslim activist embraces Israel. 06.23.13.
Raza, R. & Rizwan, M. (2023): Opinion: The Muslim world's selective outrage over Israel. In: National Post. December 12 2023.
“History puts the Jews on the very soil they now call Israel about 2166 B.C. This was the time of Abram, who, according to the Torah, had his name changed by God to Abraham. (…) According to the Bible, Jerusalem was made the capital of Israel some 3000 years ago under the reign of King David. (…) For Arabs or Muslims to declare that the Jews have no right to a small piece of land there to call their home is ludicrous. The Children of Israel have every right to be right where they are. Modern Israel was admitted to the United Nations as the official Jewish state and homeland on May 11, 1949 and has had to fight for survival in a sea of Muslims every since. (…) Right now, there is no military in the Middle East that can touch Israel's. Many have tried, all have lost. They tried banding together and still lost. When you live under constant threat of death, you learn how to fight.”
- Barbara J. Stock, American nurse and author from Indiana. 1949 – 2019 AD
Stock, B.J. (2012): Israel. Then and now. In: RenewAmerica.com, September 19, 2012.
“Since its founding in 1948, Israel has flourished as the only true democracy in the Middle East, and established itself as America's greatest ally in the region. (…) Resilience and perseverance is indicative of the spirit of the Israeli people.”
– Phil Hare, American Representative (Dem) from Illinois. 1949 AD
May 14, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 79 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“Israel is a shining example of the success that a democracy can produce. Because of the freedom that Israelis enjoy, Israel has been at the forefront of innovation. Israeli scientists have made significant contributions to genetics, medicine, electronics, engineering, and the high-tech world. Indeed, the very cell phones that the world over has become accustomed to using were first invented by Israeli entrepreneurs.”
– Tom Davis, Irish-American Representative (GOP) from Virginia. 1949 AD
April 23, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 65 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“On May 14th, 1948, the people of Israel proclaimed the establishment of the sovereign and independent State of Israel. Over the last 60 years, Israel has built a nation, forged a new and democratic society, and created thriving economic, political, cultural and intellectual life.”
– Nick Rahall, Lebanese-American Representative (Dem) from West Virginia. 1949 AD
April 22, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 64 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“Although the new state would be tested immediately following its creation, its citizens, supporters and ideals would hold. Even at the conclusion of the first Arab-Israeli War, a constant barrage of state and non-state actors would seek to destroy this government. Sixty years later this battle continues, as the entire world copes with the challenging yet necessary task of respecting the beliefs of others and protecting the natural rights of all mankind. The ‘land of milk and honey’ is significant not only for its ability to offer refuge to a people who have been persecuted for the past two millennia, but to also demonstrate the global communities' determination to right wrongs and to help their fellow man. Today there are close to 7 million individuals who inhabit Israel.”
– Stephanie Tubbs Jones, African-American Representative (Dem) from Ohio. 1949 – 2008 AD
May 14, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 79 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“Lost 2 thousand years earlier, Jewish independence was restored in 1948 with the establishment of the State of Israel. Independence Day is a celebration of the renewal of the Jewish state and allows the Jewish people to continue development of their distinctive religion and culture. (...) Through (...) adversities, Israel has endured with continued strength, conviction, and faith. As the only democracy in the region, it serves as a model for its neighbors and provides hope for the future.”
– Jerry Costello, Italian-American Representative (Dem) from Illinois. 1949 AD
April 27, 2004 - Issue: Vol. 150, No. 55 — Daily Edition 108th Congress (2003 - 2004) - 2nd Session.
“With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Jewish independence was restored. I commend the Israeli people for their remarkable achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic and democratic society in the Middle East in the face of terrorism and hostility. (…) In this land, the Jewish people began to develop its distinctive religion and culture some 4,000 years ago, and here it has preserved an unbroken physical presence, for centuries as a sovereign state, at other times under foreign control. (…) We recognize that the Israeli people have created one of the leading nations in the fields of science, technology, medicine, and agriculture. The people of Israel have established a vibrant and functioning pluralistic and democratic political system that guarantees the freedoms of speech and press, and free, fair, and open elections with respect for the rule of law. With a strong democracy in a troubled part of the world, Israel has absorbed millions of new immigrants from all over the world. Some of these immigrants arrived without a single possession, but Israel welcomed them by providing housing, education, social security, and health care.”
– Pete Visclosky, Slovak-American Representative (Dem) from Illinois. 1949 AD
May 23, 2005 - Issue: Vol. 151, No. 69 — Daily Edition 109th Congress (2005 - 2006) - 1st Session.
“Israel was born in biblical history and was carved from the desert in an age of what seemed like unending hostility. No one who has ever read history could deny the need for a Jewish homeland. Israel is not our ally because it is convenient, Israel is our ally because they are one of the closest reflections we can find of the American ideals to live in freedom.”
– Tom Corbett, American Governor (GOP) of Pennsylvania. 1949 AD
”The Jewish people, in returning to Israel, has completed its exit from Europe. I mean to say: thanks to the reestablishment of their state, they ceased to be spiritually dependent on the European nations in which they lived or still live.“
– Pierre Manent, French political scientist. 1949 AD
Manent, P. (2006): La Raison des nations. Page 96. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“[Israelis] don’t have the patience to stand in line. Everyone forges ahead, wants to go first. How else could such a small country become so great? (…) I like the Israelis and find them awful. Actually, I like them more than I find them awful. They abound in self-confidence and show the world how to deal with threat and rejection. They have nevertheless dared to come out of the futile dilemma of their millennial history of persecution and destruction, to live. (…) They went, cultivated their land and created space, so that all who wished to, could come and help building a future. (…) I love the Israelis. I love them because they show me, what vital energy and hope means in an endangered society.”
– Jakobus Richter, Württembergian/German CEO of Heart4Children.
[Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israeli labor law is a very good law regarding workers' rights, for both men and women. Israeli law does not differentiate between a worker who has entered Israel illegally or legally. (…) For instance, the Palestinian female workers in the agricultural sector enjoy many rights, like any Israeli worker in the agricultural sector: the salary is higher than the minimum wage, 14 vacation days a year in the first four years, 2,000 shekels convalescence pay [yearly] in the first year and 2,200 shekels in the second and third year for every worker in Israel, payment for holidays, whether Islamic or Jewish.”
– Khaled Dukhi, Arab-Israeli attorney.
Palwatch.org (2016): Palestinian attorney. The Israeli labor law is very good but Palestinian middlemen steal half or two thirds of women’s salaries. March 16 2016.
“Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East and the only nation in that area with a growing Christian population. Elsewhere, even in so-called moderate Moslem lands like Egypt, Christians are under increasing threat.“
– Pat Franklin, British evangelist.
“There has been continuous Jewish presence in Israel for over 3000 years, verified by archeology, artifacts, historical accounts outside the Bible, and the biblical accounts themselves. (...) In the 19th and early 20th centuries, a growing Zionist movement called for Jews to return to their ancestral home, and thousands did, legally buying land at exorbitant prices. This movement accelerated with the rise of European antisemitism from the 1880s to 1930s. (...) We must stand with the nation of Israel, and all Jews, with gratitude for their moral and spiritual legacy, current affirmations of freedom, and that fact that Israel is a beacon of hope in a land of intolerance and radicalism. We must love life more than death, virtue-based liberty more than extremism, and truth over propaganda.”
- Charlie Self, American professor, minister and author
Self, C. (2023): It is 1938-1948 Again. October 31 2023.
“Anti-Semitism is an ancient plague. So recurrent that there are still fools who deny the Holocaust (Shoah), the genocide of Jews by the Nazis during World War II. And in these times that historical calamity puts on a cunning mask: the attack on the state of Israel. That nation full of strengths. Let's see: Israel is the only reliable democracy in the Middle East. The only Arabs who live in real freedom are those who have Israeli nationality. Israel deploys a free, competitive, progressive and socially responsible economy. It is a society of advanced knowledge and science. The handling of COVID-19 is just a sample. Their education is cutting-edge and full coverage. The quality of life of citizens, including Israeli Arabs, is assured. The country's defensive capacity is a world model. It is based on technological achievements and the commitment of citizens to national defense. I was shocked to see Jewish boys in military service in Jerusalem, alert to any aggression. And another very impressive thing in Israel was to see the willingness of the common people to reconcile with the Palestinians and other Arabs (as Semitic, children of the biblical Shem, as they were). So, in the face of Israel's stolid and iniquitous campaign of demonization, the people of good will on the planet must react.”
- Alexis Ortiz, Venezuelan-American author.
Ortiz, A. (2021): Los ataques a Israel esconden un odioso mensaje antisemita | Opinión. En: El Nuevo Herald. 18 de marzo de 2021 2:55 PM.
“Israel lives in a turbulent ocean of dynamic, radical, and, sometimes, tectonic changes. (…) Israel is working hard to keep the democratic and socially just character of the state in a problematic and troublesome neighborhood. (…) Israel has shown to the world the miracle of the "Start-up nation" with all its innovations and technical break-throughs. (…) Israel is a unique state with history that goes back as deep as 3 000 years and vision for the future that expands far ahead. (…) Israel is a country of high technology-oriented market economy. Highly developed industrial sectors are high-tech (aviation, ICT, computer design, medical and optical electronics, pharmaceuticals, electronics), food production, chemical industry, production of textiles and footwear, electrical engineering, production of construction materials. Throughout last years, Israel has become a magnet for foreign investors who are attracted mainly by Hi-Tech Industries by establishing R&D centers and subsidiaries. Among such foreign investors are top international companies like Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, Google, Applied Materials, HP, Deutsche Telekom, Samsung etc.”
– Dimitar Mihaylov, Bulgarian Ambassador to Israel.
“I was (…) accused of being ‘one of those Christians who only supports Israel because the Bible says you must’. The insinuation, it seems, was that I really hated Jewish people but hypocritically supported Israel anyway because the Bible forced me into it. My answer was plain and simple. I support Israel because I believe that Israel is the innocent party in that area of the world and it needs to be defended on those grounds.”
– Greg Robertson, American Lutheran reverend.
“The Jews have historic right over Israel. There is a detailed history about them, and not just their own, that traces them to that land for almost 3,500 years. Many ancient towns in Israel, like Jerusalem, Bethlehem, etc, still have Hebrew names. In fact the Quranic stories narrated by Muhammad about Moses and the Israelites, confirm that the Jews called that part of land home at least 2000 years before Islam was invented. The truth is that the Jews never deserted Israel completely. Many of them have been living there forever. But their land was under the domination of other powers, such as the Romans, the Caliphs of Islam and the Ottoman Empire.”
– Ali Sina, Iranian-Canadian activist and convert to Christianity.
Sina, A. (2011): Ali Sina Debates a Palestinian over Israel. 25 July 2011.
“We were one of the first to recognize Israel, in 1950. Our Jewish community is well integrated and well respected, and it has wonderful ties with other Mexican communities, as well as with Israel. Many of our Jewish youth have spent time in Israel and served in the IDF. To me, Israel and Mexico are a natural fit.”
– Benito Andión, Mexican Ambassador to Israel.
JTA (2016): Mexico, Israel aim to triple annual trade to $2.1 billion. In: The Times of Israel. 18 July 2016, 7:14 pm.
“WIsrael is a country full of challenges, hopes and joie de vivre. I appreciate Israelis especially for their agility, their creativity and their talent at improvising. Personally I know many warm-hearted people in Israel.”
– Andreas Nagel, Holsteinian/German manager at Lufthansa.
Deutsch-Israelische Gesellschaft: Warum Israel?. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel has outdone us in all fields – military, scientific, and cultural – but despite this we have refused to consider the reason for its obvious superiority to us, and have never stopped calling it ‘the monstrous entity’… Since its founding, Israel has been committed to democracy, while we refuse to even speak of it, let alone adopt it… Israel has given its minorities rights that most citizens in most Arab countries do not even dream of. (...) Israel has focused its attention on science, spending large sums on research, while we are still focused on whether drinking camel urine or using it medicinally is actually helpful. Israel has managed to unite people emigrating to it from 50 countries, and to forge a single people from them, while we have not managed to create an army out of the people. (…) Two of [Israel’s] senior leaders went to prison for corruption, while we still argue over how to convict the master thieves in our midst. Israel has developed its technologies and its agriculture, industry, and military, becoming an advanced and respected country, while we currently occupy the bottom slot in every field.”
– Ahmad Al-Sarraf, Kuwaiti columnist.
MEMRI (2016): Kuwaiti Columnist. Israel Has Outdone Us In Everything – We Must Learn From It. February 18 2016.
“Israel's people has had a struggle of several hundreds of years - not just with God - but also with humans, who in various ways sought to annihilate and oppress Jews all over our world. So it was in ancient times, so it is today. Anti-Semitism unfortunately still lives both in attitudes towards the State of Israel, but also towards single individuals and Jewish groups residing in different countries in our world. (...) The Jewish people lives scattered across different parts of the world, but also need a land of their own.No, I am not partisan. I support Israel's country regardless of whether it is governed by a leftist or rightist government! My responsibility - as a part of the church in the world - is based upon gratitude for that which we as a church - and I as an individual believing person - received through this nation.”
– Bim Möller, Swedish priest and musician.
Möller, B.: Vad tänker du på när du hör ordet Israel?. In: Varför Israel?. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Both China and Israel are Asian nations with long histories. Both countries attach great importance to education. So I believe to have good friends as well as a partner is important not only for China but also for Israel. By joining hands we can have more contributions to world peace and stability as well as tangible benefits for our two peoples as well as more trade, more investments, and more job opportunities.”
– Ghao Yaping, Chinese Ambassador to Israel.
China’s Positive View of the State of Israel. In: United with Israel. March 17 2013.
"Israel (…) has given unquestioningly. We desperately needed ammunition during the Kargil conflict, Israel shipped the shells to us overnight. We needed air-surveillance platforms, Israel provided them to us. With Russia faltering as India's primary supplier of weaponry, Israel stepped into the gap. A lot more can be added to the list – from agricultural and water technology to high end satellite technology and sensors on borders to monitor movements. (…) We want Israel to provide us with high-end technology that goes beyond agriculture and water, assist us in combating terrorism, and help us acquire top class cyber security know-how to be battle ready for wars of the future.”
– Kanchan Gupta, Bengali/Indian journalist.
Gupta, K. (2016): CLOSED CIRCLE: How Israel surprised the world. In: Mail Online India. 19 November 2016, 00:14 GMT.
"We are happy that Israel has not only survived as a free and independent democratic state, which in itself is certainly fantastic and has no parallel in world history, but also that Israel has been a haven for millions of Jews from all over the world and integrated them into the country on a monstrous degree. In addition, the country has developed to become a strong contributor to the world community in many fields. Israel plays in the elite division in research and science in many fields, such as biology, medicine, agriculture and high technology. Throughout 60 years, Israel has defended itself against several attempts at annihilation in a heroic manner, and appears today as a strong nation. Through various defense measures, terror has been significantly reduced in recent years and the economy is strong. Everything is in place for continued progress in the coming years."
– Gabriel Edland, Norwegian activist.
Med Israel for fred - Israel 60 år. Sep 2 2008. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Israel is a happy country, despite the fact that hundreds of rockets are fired [upon it] from the Gaza Strip annually, because the country is not allowed to exist. Israel is modern and innovative. Israel doesn't avenge the Holocaust. Israel has to fight for her existence ever since the state was established. The Israeli army warns civilians before carrying out bombardments. Israel treats thousands of Syrian civilian casualties. Israel is emancipated."
– Louise Katus-Luyendijk, Dutch church volunteer.
Katus, L. (2016): En de Palestijnen dan..?. In: Christenen voor Israël. 18 juli 2016. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Israel is the only democratic country in the Middle East, with a proven respect for every other religion, as well as for the unlimited profession thereof, also in public. That's why there must be an undivided Jerusalem, solely under Jewish jurisdiction."
– prof. dr. T. Blokland, Dutch professor at the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.
Blokland, T. (2000): Over Jeruzalem bestaan veel misverstanden. In: Trouw. 2 augustus 2000. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"I have been in Israel almost 40 times and I also lived there for many months. I like the people there, the variety of ethnicities, cultures and religions and I felt good there. I was always well and willingly welcomed and accepted. The compass of my heart points toward Israel. (...) The people are very open, very cordial, multicultural, multiethnic, creative, innovative, very optimistic, solidary. (...) The Israelis [are] usually very open, communicative, multilingual, interested and curious."
– prof. dr. Roland Hornung, Franconian/German mathematician.
Warum ich Israel liebe – Teil 1. In: Israel National Trail. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“[Israel is a] leader in IT technology, prominent in medical research and within agriculture; fast and effective when it comes to post-disaster interventions, but also now in regards to Corona; often questioned and attacked, but strong and determined to defend itself.”
– Göran Duveskog, Swedish travel guide.
Duveskog, G.: Vad tänker du på när du hör ordet Israel?. In: Varför Israel?. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“[Israel] had to pay for its proclamation of independence with the declaration of war upon it by five surrounding countries: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq and the invasion of the armies of those countries the next day. Israel did not possess an official army, while the five attacking countries did, usually trained and armed by England, which did not carry the nickname 'Perfidious Albion' without reason. It ought to be considered a miracle that the young state was able to win the war and expand its territory by a fifth. So that a slightly more defensible country emerged than the United Nations had assigned to the Jewish part in the Partition Plan for Palestine of 1947. (...) In the midst of all this war violence, life went on. The population of Israel grew to a modest 10 million inhabitants, of whom three quarters were Jews and 21% Arabs; this latter group, formally Israelis, generally lives under far better circumstances than in surrounding countries. (...) Israel turned from mostly desert into a fertile country, it resides among the absolute top when it comes to welfare, collective provisions, hightech, IT, energy transition, medical inventions. Jews from poor countries were absorbed, as were a million Jews from Russia.”
– Philip van Tijn, Dutch manager, supervisor and advisor.
Tijn, P. van (2023): Het wonder van 75 jaar Israël. In: Elsevier. 23 april 2023.
“Palestine disappeared from the world map when the Palestinians refused to accept partition and the United Nations accepted Israel as a democratic country and an equal member of the family of nations. Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, is made up of freely elected representatives every four years and its Arab citizens have the right to vote and participate in free elections. Through this democratic participation Arab Israelis are able to obtain many educational rights. At the turn of the 20th century many Jews immigrated to Palestine as a safe haven from Europe. The education system that Israel subsequently established was based on its vision of a new Jewish State. Israel’s Ministry of Education is the centralized body overseeing education in the country, which is compulsory and free for all of its Jewish and Arab citizens. (...) The birth of the State of Israel transformed the education system among its Arab citizenship – a system previously open to the elite was now open to all.”
– Elham Farah, Arab-Israeli / Canadian learning research teacher.
Hamilton Jewish News. April 2008. Page 11.
“Had a good time visiting Jerusalem and Gaza Strip today. If Israel did not react, the rockets would continue anyway. If Hamas halted rockets, Israel would not attack them. (…) I almost thought I wanna learn Hebrew, from what I’ve heard about the logic of the language. (…) I have heard about amazing things from this country for a long long time, in the technology area. I’ve bought great products that are just astounding and amazing, that came from Israeli companies, in the past. Obviously the pocket printer.”
– Steve Wozniak, American co-founder of Apple. 1950 AD
Berger, M. (2014): Apple Co-Founder Went To Gaza, Maybe. In: BuzzFeed News. August 28, 2014, 12:46.
“As an American I grow increasingly appalled at the antisemitism permeating so much of our country, especially by so many students at our elite universities which have become left-liberal woke hotbeds fostering intellectual rot, rather than critical thinking - and tolerated or endorsed by their administrations. It has sadly spread to Corporate America as well. (...) Israel is our friend and ally. They don't just need us to be their friend in good times. They need us to be their friend in bad times. To be their friend when it is easier not to be. Good friends are the ones that come through the door when everyone else is going out. This is a great time to show Israel and the world who we are.”
– Dr. Phil McGraw, American clinical psychologist, television host and author. 1950 AD
Dr. Phil. Dr. Phil viewed a highly restricted IDF video of the Oct 7 Hamas massacre on Israel. In: Facebook. 9 December. 2023.
Dr. Phil. A message from Dr. Phil on Israel, Hamas, and our own moral compass. In: Facebook. 21 October 2023.
“It’s a great country. It’s a great people. At some point in your life, you have to sort of take sides. I tend to side with the Jewish point of view on many things, especially issues like this one. I realize how important Israel is. (…) It’s the only democracy in the Middle East. (…) Here’s this one little paradise in the Middle East, where freedom reigns and there’s a democracy.”
– Jay Leno, Italian-American comedian and actor. 1950 AD
HaAretz (2014): Leno. Anyone Who's Not Kerry Is Welcome in Israel Right Now. May 9, 2014.
“Israel boycotters are politically ignorant obnoxious
idiots. Israel is one of our two friends in the Middle East.”
– Steven “Van Zandt” Lento, Italian-American musician. 1950 AD
Tobin, A. (2016): Springsteen guitarist slams ‘obnoxious idiots’ who back BDS. In: The Times of Israel. 3 May 2016, 3:44 am.
“I just couldn’t have more admiration for Israel. To be persecuted throughout world history, to be dispersed and then come back and not only exist but thrive with enemies everywhere is just nothing short of miraculous. I admire Israel and the Israeli people so much, words can’t even say what has been achieved and what will be achieved in the center of our world.”
Paul Westphal, American basketball player and head coach. 1950 – 2021 AD
Halickman, J. (2021): Westphal on Israel. In: Holyland Hoops. Jan 2, 2021.
“The people of Israel have built a nation on democratic principles. They have nurtured it with hard work and the spirit of innovation. You have marched on regardless of adversity and converted challenges into opportunity. India applauds your achievements. (...) Israel managed to develop and grow against all odds in a fascinating way, so that the whole world recognizes Israel. Israel has developed itself in such a short time, that everyone looks at it with astonishment. As soon as somebody even says 'Israel', one thinks immediately of innovation, technology, startups, space, agriculture. Utilizing these resources is Israel’s fingerprint. (…) Today it is 'I for I': India for Israel and Israel for India. Indians feel that Israel is a real friend."
– Narendra Modi, Gujarati/Indian Prime Minister of India (BJP). 1950 AD
Modi praises Israel’s achievements, says visit is a ‘singular honor’ for him. In: The Times of Israel. 4 July 2017, 4:24 pm.
“Israel is a western democracy. We feel close to Israel and see you as allies. (…) The shared position of our two peoples in this region and our abilities, enable us through cooperation to overcome the challenges we face. The roots of the relationship between our two peoples stretch further back than our diplomatic relations. (...) We feel the love and appreciation between the two peoples, which is based, in part, on a shared history, culture, the arts and music. (...) I extend to the Israeli people my wishes for peace and security, in which they may live in health and prosperity, and face the great challenges before us.”
– Prokopis Pavlopoulos, President of the Hellenic Republic. 1950 AD
PM Netanyahu Meets with Greek President Pavlopoulos. 31.03.2016.
“During the war, the Jewish State was continuously one: with admirable heroism, the young Israelis time after time put their lives at stake for the deliverence of their country. (...) One thing seems certain to me: every Israeli longs for peace, tranquility AND security. (...) The current Israeli youth is aware of its uniqueness and independence. They simply can't understand how it were possible that barely thirty years ago, their grandparents or father and mother 'simply' let themselves be murdered. Yet, for most of them, a deep solidarity remains with the people from which they were born, and which suffered for the sake of their happiness."
– Erik Faucompret, Flemish professor. 1950 AD
Faucompret, E. (1977): Lezend en luisterend in Israël. In: Streven. Jaargang 30. Pagina 697-709. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“I am very happy to be here [on a visit] in Israel, a country with which we have thousands of years of connections, through many common values and visions, these thousands of years, being together in history and, I hope, being even closer in the future. (…) When I see people coming from Israel, I always think: these people, this population, loves Greece so much that we have to learn to love Israel the same way.”
– Nikos Kotzias, Greek Foreign Minister. 1950 AD
Joint Statements of Foreign Minister Kotzias’ with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before their meeting (6 July 2015)
“You have so many incredible individuals in this area and other areas that could contribute a lot”, and Israel is a country of “great entrepreneurs doing incredible things.”
– Richard Branson, English founder of the Virgin Group. 1950 AD
Sir Richard Branson: Israel is a country of great entrepreneurs. In: Jerusalem Post. October 24, 2019 17:54
“We consider Israel a great friend and a great model for what can happen and needs to happen in the Middle East.”
– Roy Blunt, American Senator (GOP) from Missouri. 1950 AD
CNN (2007): Olmert finds friends on Capitol Hill.
“Being a friend of Israel is the only way to maintain the human condition”
– Gabriel Albiac, Valencian/Spanish philosopher. 1950 AD
Radio Sefarad: «Ser amigo de Israel es la única forma de mantener la condición humana», con Gabriel Albiac.
“The international consensus that founded modern Israel in the wake of the Holocaust reflected ‘the best conscience of the civilized world’. America's support for Israel is an ongoing demonstration that America will stand with those who champion liberty and representative government, anywhere in the world, especially if they have the courage and integrity of Israel. Such commitments are not for sale at any price, and certainly not for the price of oil.”
– Alan Keyes, African-American Ambassador to the United Nations. 1950 AD
Keyes, A. (2002): Standing Firm for Israel. April 29 2002.
“I find it written somewhere that Palestine has been occupied for 70 years. Why only 70? It was first occupied by the English, as well as Jordan and the Ottoman Empire. Palestine was always an occupied territory. Focusing merely on the recent decades manifests an wish for omission. Is it about Zionists because it proves the historical evidence of the State of Israel? Whoever hopes for [Israel’s] cancellation is a partisan of extermination on a mass scale. Do some people like it when Palestinian children seek death by stabbing old Jewish men? Evidently so. I do not belong to that category.”
– Erri De Luca, Italian author and translator. 1950 AD
De Luca, E. (2015). In: Facebook. 6 November 2015, 23:44. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel is the only pluralist democracy in the Middle East, a country with profound and rooted democratic institutions, where minorities and non-Jewish citizens are respected and whose rights are guaranteed by national laws. It is an open and dynamic society which has consistently proven to excel in science, culture, technology, innovation, etc… Unlike some states, born with the use of force or wars, Israel is a state whose existence is willed and recognized by the United Nations. Thanks to its Jewish roots, its history linked to Europe, its democratic and humanist values, it is a fully ‘western’ country, which I consider to be the ultimate face of democracy against the spread of totalitarian Islamic fanaticism. Israel really is the first line of defense for the West and open society in a region that constantly threatens to fall into chaos and indiscriminate violence. Should Israel go down, or if we let it down, we shall all go down and the next victims of this war will be our democracies. The strength and survival of Israel are the guarantees of our strength and our survival.”
– Gabriele Albertini, Italian mayor of Milan. 1950 AD
Albertini, G.: Per la Verità, per Israele. Page 83. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Certainly [I am] on the side of peace, but on the side of democracy: Israel. The State of Israel is the sole democratic state in the Middle East. The State of Israel must have made mistakes as do all states, but it is a democracy that knows to correct its mistakes democratically, as in all democracies. This is the distinction between democracy and autocracy, between terrorism and democracy.”
– Renato Brunetta, Italian Minister of Public Administration and Innovation. 1950 AD
Maratona oratoria a sostegno della pace per Israele e per i civili palestinesi. 17 July 2014. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Germany’s relationship to Israel, and Israel’s to Germany, will always be a very special one. Today, our countries are allies, partners and friends. After what the Germans did to the Jews, this is indeed a miracle. It was possible because Israel was willing to reach out its hand. (…) The latest violent upheavals in the Middle East and North Africa remind us, with startling clarity, that Israelis and Europeans share the same fundamental security interests. (…) Just as Europe is not, and must not become, a Christian club, neither should the Middle East be – or become – a Muslim one. In Israel, a new synthesis of European and Oriental Judaism is emerging. I am firmly convinced that this can be the starting point for a new and much-needed bridge between East and West.”
– Gerda Hasselfeldt, Bavarian/German Health Minister (CSU). 1950 AD
Rede vor dem Deutschen Bundestag anlässlich der 50-jährigen diplomatischen Beziehungen zwischen Deutschland und Israel. 07.05.2015. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has been boycotted. (…) Apart from Lufthansa, German firms avoided Israel or operated under a false name. Volkswagen was Champion. (…) The Israelis developed inventiveness. Either they themselves produced what the Arabs tried to keep from them, from the best armored vehicles in the world through the Uzi machine pistol to drones. Or they found ways to smuggle products into Israel. Israel’s success industry, the hightech branch, is a continuation of this struggle for survival to go down or reinvent the wheel.”
– Ulrich Sahm, Rhenish/German journalist. 1950 AD
Sahm, U.W. (2013): Der Israelboykott. In: Israelkongress Journal 2013. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“The idea that our best ally in the Middle East, the longest-serving democracy in that part of the world, that there's any air between us and Israel is beyond me. I don't understand why this administration would criticize Israel for trying to protect their citizens and their country from a group who have clearly stated that they will not be satisfied until Israel is wiped off [the map].”
– Rick Perry, Anglo-American US Secretary (GOP) of Energy and Governor of Texas. 1950 AD
Gov. Perry to CNN’s Candy Crowley: the Obama Administration has “not been strong in their support of Israel”. In: CNN. August 3rd, 2014.
“Israel needs to exist because there needs to be a Jewish state. Humanity has proven conclusively over many centuries that it cannot be trusted not to persecute Jews. Jew-hatred seems to be written right into our DNA, because it just keeps coming back. (…) People who want to boycott Israel have no idea what it’s like to live on a thin strip of land surrounded by people who want to wipe out your entire population, who repeatedly tried to do so in the past and failed, and who will continue trying until they succeed – which is likely to happen, roughly, never – while we in the West keep paying for it.”
– Pat Condell, British Irish comedian and writer. 1950 AD
Condell, P. (2014): .Why I Support Israel. In: Youtube. 18 June 2014.
"The reestablishment of the State of Israel is one of several miracles that we can look back on: the Hebrew language, that for centuries was used only as a sacred language in the synagogues and study houses, was revived and turned into a language for everyday life. Israel started off with no natural resources, without enough land to cultivate and barely any water to drink. It has become a leading economy with an innovative scientific and technological community which is among the most advanced in the world. Receiving 10 Nobel Prizes in the latter years is a proof of that. It is also a miracle that Israel has received hundreds of thousands of immigrants from all over the world integrating them successfully into the society. This young country is a vibrant democracy based on the values of freedom and equality for all of its citizens, and in which minority groups are respected. The Arab minority is integrated into the society while keeping their language, culture and religious faith."
– Naim Araidi, Druze-Israeli poet and diplomat. 1950 AD
Yom Haatzmaut 2013 Ambassador’s speech.
“I found Israel to be a fascinating country with a deep and ancient spirit that reflected the formlessness and austerity of the surrounding desert. In some ways it reminded me of South India. (…) I had long admired the Jewish people for their intellectual achievements. (…) In terms of social practices, the Jews like the Hindus are a tolerant religion, not promoting conversion, and a culture, not merely a belief system."
– David Frawley / Vamadeva Sastri, Irish-American author and Hindu convert. 1950 AD
Frawley, D. (2013): How I Became a Hindu. 20 July 2013.
“Israel began in a desert, but today, it is a fountain of culture, innovation and industry. (...) Today, Israel is among the top three countries in the world in terms of patents per capita, and number one in terms of startup businesses per capita. Israel is also a leader in clean energy research and development, and is helping to create the power the world needs. The Israeli people are leaders in celebrating life, as evidenced by their humanitarian works and their pioneering medical advances that will save and improve people's lives, and they are making a real difference throughout the world.Israel continues to serve as a shining model of democratic values, and an important presence in the region; it shows the world that democracy can survive and thrive anywhere people wish to be free.”
– Debbie Stabenow née Greer, American Senator (Dem) from Michigan. 1950 AD
March 7, 2013 - Issue: Vol. 159, No. 33 — Daily Edition 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) - 1st Session
“We believe that Canada and Israel share common values of freedom and democracy, as well as common interests in defeating global terrorism. (…) The luxury of time is not an option for Israel. The Israelis said they will defend themselves – they will not wait if threatened. They’ve seen a Holocaust once, and they’re determined not to see it again. It’s very clear that Israel has the right to defend itself. That’s the Canadian position, and I believe that is the right position.”
– Stockwell Day, Anglo-Canadian President of the Treasury Board (Canadian Alliance). 1950 AD
Reversing the Poles. How the Pro-Israeli Policy of Canada’s Cons. Government May Be Moving Jewish Voters from Left to Right. In: Jewish Political Studies Review 23:1-2.
“The United States recognized the State of Israel the day it was established on May 14, 1948. In the ensuing 60 years, the people of Israel have established a democratic society, developed an advanced economy, and created a thriving culture in the face of war, terrorism, and threats to its security. (…)In the post-9/11 world and with American soldiers engaged in two wars on Islamic soil, I believe our historic alliance with the State of Israel has even greater significance.”
– Mark Udall, Anglo-American Governor (Dem) of Colorado. 1950 AD
April 23, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 65 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“I am 100 percent in support of Israel, and I can make secular arguments to do so: an openly democratic country, they allow Palestinians to vote and Arabs to vote, which none of the surrounding Arab countries – in a very hypocritical stance, by the way – do.”
– Mark Souder, German-American Representative from Indiana. 1950 AD
One Electorate Under God? A Dialogue on Religion and American Politics. July 21 2004.
“Israeli equipment has saved the lives of hundreds of U.S. soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. And because of Israel's desert location, farmers and agricultural experts there have been forced to adapt their irrigation methods. This research now benefits dry weather areas around the world, all because Israel discovered a way to make the desert bloom.”
– Thomas Reynolds, American Representative (GOP) from New York. 1950 AD
April 3, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 52 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“The people of Israel have established a vibrant and functioning pluralistic democratic political system including freedom of speech, a free press, free and open elections, the rule of law, and other important democratic principles and practices.”
– Sheila Jackson-Lee, African-American Representative (Dem) from Texas. 1950 AD
May 19, 2014 - Issue: Vol. 160, No. 75 — Daily Edition 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) - 2nd Session
“We celebrate 61 years of the exercise of vibrant liberty, democracy and opportunity for those of all faiths. We celebrate over six decades of the revitalization of the Jewish homeland where Jewish culture, literature and philosophy have flourished. We celebrate 61 years of Israeli achievements in science and technology and business, achievements defined by continual innovation and entrepreneurship, and we celebrate the hard work, determination and love of peace displayed by the people of Israel, a people with whom we share our deepest values.”
– John Boozman, Irish-American Senator and Representative (GOP) from Arizona. 1950 AD
May 4, 2009 - Issue: Vol. 155, No. 67 — Daily Edition 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) - 1st Session.
“I stand with Israel. As the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel is our friend
and ally. We must firmly and unequivocally support Israel’s right to self-defense.”
– Marc Hennemann, German-American politician (GOP). 1950 AD
From: http://www.marc4congress.com/marcs_philosophy.htm
“From the state’s founding we Druze were taught to love our homeland, including the flag, the anthem and the Declaration of Independence, which cleverly intertwined Jewish and democratic components, like a scarlet thread running through the state and society of Israel. The Declaration of Independence anchored and protected human dignity, equality and freedom of worship. For years our language, Arabic, was recognized as an official language of Israel. (…) Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people – the Law of Return expresses this – and it is a democratic state with equality for minorities, with freedom of religion and culture. The Druze community was proud to be a partner to this vision.”
– Bahij Mansour, Druze-Israeli Ambassador to the Dominican Republic.
Mansour, B. (2014): Israel's Druze Ambassador Can't Defend the Nation-state Law. December 6 2014.
"Liberia has great admiration for Israel and can learn much from you in
the fields of innovation, technology, agriculture and medical research.”
– Armah Jallah, Liberian Senator.
Siegel-Itzkovich, J. (2015): Liberia thanks Israel for helping to wipe out its Ebola outbreak. December 16 2015, 17:30.
“I was deeply impressed by the dedication of the [Israeli] medical staff that is sparing no effort to provide the injured patients [from Syria], many of them children, with the best possible medical care. This commitment to the welfare of other human beings, regardless of the fact that they belong to an enemy nation, should be a source of pride to all Israelis.”
– Lars Faaborg-Andersen, Danish Ambassador of the European Union to Israel.
EU official lauds Israel for treating injured Syrians. In: The Jerusalem Post. November 14 2013, 04:43.
“For the socialists, Israel may, with its collective agriculture, collective land ownership and powerful trade union establishments, not yet have been a socialist utopia, but it did fulfill the promise of a proper democratic socialist state, a positive counterexample to the communist dictatorships in Eastern Europe. In Israel, a new society was built up, an enlightening example of modernity, compared to the feudal Arabic societies.”
– Jan Dirk Snel, Dutch historian.
Snel, J.D. (2008): Nederland en de band met Israël. In: Historisch Nieuwsblad. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"After nearly two millenniums of wandering in strange lands – following destruction of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem by the Romans and forced exile from the land of their prophets – the birth of Israel has offered Jews a secure home where they may prosper without any fear or apology… Israel is a tiny sliver of land in a vast tempest-ridden sea of the Arab-Muslim world, and yet it is here, the ancient world's most enduring story is made fresh again by Jews to live God's covenant with Abraham as told in their sacred literature. (...) The story of modern Israel, as many have noted, is a miracle unlike any, of a people condemned to elimination coming together to build a state and society that is unapologetically strong militarily. It is a robust and inclusive democracy, and is at the leading edge of science and technology."
– Salim Mansur, Indian-Canadian (Bengali) professor and columnist.
From: Israellycool.com.
“There are only 14 million Jews in the world; seven million in the Americas, five million in Asia, two million in Europe and 100,000 in Africa. For every single Jew in the world there are 100 Muslims. Yet, Jews are more than a hundred times more powerful than all the Muslims put together. Ever wondered why? (…) Stanley Mezor invented the first micro-processing chip. Leo Szilard developed the first nuclear chain reactor. Peter Schultz, optical fibre cable; Charles Adler, traffic lights; Benno Strauss, stainless steel; Isador Kisee, sound movies; Emile Berliner, telephone microphone and Charles Ginsburg, videotape recorder. (…) So, why are Jews so powerful? Answer: Education.”
– Farrukh Saleem, Pakistani (Urdu) economic theorist.
Saleem, F. (2010): Why are Jews so powerful?
“It is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of your people that they persisted in their valiant struggle to re-gather again in the land of their birth. (…) We appreciate the fact that you, Israel, have welcomed the Iranian Jews who could no longer tolerate the rule of the oppressive venomous mullahs. (…) We applaud you for affording millions of Israeli Arabs opportunities denied to them in many other lands. Your fair treatment of the Baha’is, Israel, is a further testimony to your ability and willingness to live in harmony with any and all people.”
– Amil Imani, Iranian-American activist.
Imani, A. (2008): Happy Sixtieth Birthday, Israel. In: Arutz Sheva. May 11 2008, 9:52 AM.
“Israel is, after the Silicon Valley, the second biggest location for start-ups around the world. In the country of eight million people, we find the most start-ups, the most risk capital and the highest expenditure for research and development per capita. The inventiveness is legendary: in Israel, the USB-stick, the firewall and instant messaging was invented. Almost all of the big international IT concerns, such as Microsoft, Google, Deutsche Telekom, SAP and IBM, have research centres in the 'Silicon Wadi'."
– Jürgen Stüber, German journalist.
Stüber, J. (2016): Berlin ist für israelische Gründer das Tor nach Europa. In: Berliner Morgenpost. 03.02.2016, 06:00 Uhr. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Everybody knows in the West that this town [Jerusalem] covers several hills and has been built by
Jewish hands. (…) The Holy Land is not protected anymore by anyone: Israel is in charge and takes
care of it with more efficiency, courage and honour than any previous ‘protector’.”
– Claude Duvernoy, French Presbyterian minister.
Dangoor, E. (1967): De Gaulle's opinion of Israel. Press conference held at the Elysée Palace on 27 November 1967.
"For two thousand years, you had history - but not a home. For two thousand years, you lifted the artistic and cultural life and the scientific and political development of every continent - but had no home. For two thousand years, you endured pogroms - and then the horror of the Holocaust - because you had no home. Yet for two thousand years, nothing - no prison cell, no forced migration, no violence, no massacres, not even the horror of the Holocaust - could ever break the spirit of a people yearning to be free. And you proved that while repression can subjugate it can never silence; while hearts can be broken hope is unbreakable; while lives can be lost the dream could never die; that - in the words of the prophet Amos - 'justice would roll down like a river and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream'. Never free of trouble, always facing adversity, yet what remarkable success Israel has achieved during these last few years."
– Gordon Brown, Scottish Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. 1951 AD
Gordon Brown – 2008 Speech in Israel. October 2 2015.
“In the name of 47 million Colombians [I] express our friendship and our support to the people of Israel. We have always been proud of being your friends, your allies. We have many principles and values we share. Freedom, democracy, those are values that are very entrenched in both countries and that we should always defend together. (…) There are many areas in which we would like to learn from you: you are the champions of innovation. Your capacity for research and development, there we can learn many things from you.”
– Juan Manuel Santos, Hispano-Colombian President of Colombia. 1951 AD
Statements by PM Netanyahu and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon. 11.06.2013.
“As Americans we stand with Israel because the Jewish state embodies many of the same aspects that make the United States the greatest nation in the world: commitment to human rights, religious liberty for all citizens, the rule of law, equal rights for women, a free press, a robust judicial system. (…) You know, Israel is one of our strongest friends and allies, and the tie between America and the Jewish community is something that cannot be broken. (…) I was so impressed by the people [in Israel] who refuse to be cowered by the violence and the hatred that surround them, and they refuse to allow terrorism to rule their lives. I think there’s a lot to be learned from that spirit.”
– Ben Carson, African-American Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. 1951 AD
Carson, B. (2015): ‘Never Again’ means standing with Israel. In: The Jerusalem Post. October 14 2015, 11:58.
“We aspire to democratic values and principles. We are both located in a very turbulent region and have common concerns of stability and security. We have common ambitions of prosperity through competitiveness and growth, and may I say that there are huge energy resources in our sea region in the Eastern Mediterranean. (…) Greece and Cyprus and Israel can together become a beacon of hope for all nations and for all peoples in our area, a combined stronghold of stability and security.”
– Antonis Samaras, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic. 1951 AD
Remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras at the Greece-Israel G2G signing ceremony. 08.10.2013.
“Israel has always supported the South Sudanese people – we wouldn’t exist without you. You fought beside us to allow for the inception of South Sudan and we would like to learn from you. (…) As a nation that rose from dust, and as the few who fought the many, you have established a flourishing country that offers a future and economic prosperity to its children.”
– Salva Kiir Mayardit, Dinka President of South Sudan. 1951 AD
Sudan Tribune (2017): S. Sudan’s Kiir vows to deepen bilateral cooperation with Israel. May 31 2017.
“The State of Israel’s right to exist may not be denied by anybody. Whoever does so, eliminates himself as a dialogue and negotiating partner. Against this hostility, Europe ought to bundle its forces. This road could be formed by a privileged partnership with Israel.”
– Jürgen Rüttgers, Rhenish/German Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia. 1951 AD
Rede von Herrn Ministerpräsident Jürgen Rüttgers. 8. Mai 2006. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“German history can’t ever be told in its entirety without the history of Israel, and vice versa. Israel’s right to exist is not negotiable for Germany. There can be no peaceful coexistence of human beings in the Middle East as long as the destruction of Israel is seen as an option.”
– Volker Bouffier, German/Hessian Prime Minister of Hesse. 1951 AD
Israelnetz: Bouffier in Israel. Ohne Gewalt für Frieden eintreten. 21. Oktober 2015. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel's air attacks were carefully planned and executed. We've all seen reports about the amount
of messaging they do. The amount of ringing to make sure civilians are out of the way. As someone
who has practically applied the laws of armed conflict in modern warfare, I was very impressed."
– Jim Molan, Australian general and Senator for New South Wales (Liberal). 1951 – 2023.
Lamm, D. (2015): Amnesty’s travesty. In: Jerusalem Post. July 15, 22:10.
“Kabylia aspires to friendship with Israel and all peoples of the world. (…) The Kabyles have always had a little sympathy for Israel. (…) Israel lives, entirely like Kabylia, in a hostile environment, both share the same kind of way, except Israel already has its own state, that’s the only difference. Israel should adopt Kabylia as a sister. (...) During the war of 1967, Kabylia applauded the defeat of the Arabs."
– Ferhat Mehenni, Algerian/Amazigh (Kabyle) singer and politician. 1951 AD
Siwel (2012): Ferhat Mehenni : « La Kabylie aspire à l’amitié avec Israel et tous les peuples du monde » (Jerusalem Post). 29/05/2012. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Last year Israel celebrated the Trimillennium of Jerusalem, the City of David. And for the past 3,000 years there has been a continuous Jewish presence in the city. In fact, ever since King David made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom, Jerusalem has become a center of Jewish existence. No other nation has ever made Jerusalem its capital in such an absolute and binding fashion. The Temple was built in Jerusalem, and to it the religious made their pilgrimages. Chapters of the Bible were written within its walls, and there the prophets preached their prophesies. (...) The Jewish bond to Jerusalem was never broken. For three millennia, Jerusalem has been the center of the Jewish faith, retaining its symbolic value throughout the generations. The many Jews who had been exiled after the Roman conquest and scattered throughout the world never forgot Jerusalem. Year after year they repeated ‘Next year in Jerusalem’. Jerusalem became the symbol of the desire of Jews everywhere to return to their homeland. It was invoked by the prophets, enshrined in daily prayer, and sung by Hebrew poets in far-flung lands.”
– Dirk Kempthorne, Cornish-American US Secretary of the Interior (GOP). 1951 AD
June 11, 1997 - Issue: Vol. 143, No. 81 — Daily Edition 105th Congress (1997 - 1998) - 1st Session
"Israel is a mature, established democracy and an integral part of the community of democracies that is centered historically in the West; as such, Israel deserves to be treated as any other normal western country."
– George Weigel, German-American author. 1951 AD
Weigel, G. (2010): In Defense of Israel's Legitimacy. In: First Things. 18 August 2010.
“Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East – which is reason alone to stand with her. She has been a staunch ally of the U.S. since the earliest days of her modern founding, and simple friendship and loyalty dictate that we return the favor. And unlike the Muslim nations which surround Israel, Israel does not want to destroy the United States. (…) There is one additional, overriding reason. We should stand with Israel because God does. God made a profound promise to the father of the Jewish people, a promise which he has never revoked and which is still in effect today.”
– Bryan Fischer, German-American radio host. 1951 AD
Fischer, B. (2015): Why God Has Blessed the United States. In: The Stand on January 29, 2015.
“At present Israel is the most stable state in the region and also the only democratic state. (…) In the Arab states around Israel there [is] no true democracy, voting right or freedom of language. Where women have equal rights in Israel, this does not exist in any Arab state. In Saudi Arabia women may not even drive cars. (…) Israel has proof that it will make compromises, like giving up the Sinai peninsula, in exchange for security. For a sustainable settlement there need to be stable neighboring states around Israel that recognize Israel’s right to exist.”
– Pieter Mulder, South African (Afrikaner) member of parliament (FF Plus). 1951 AD
Mulder, P. (2015): Artikel: 'n Vredesoplossing in Israel is moontlik - maar eers op. In: Freedom Front Plus. 29-09-2015 [Translated by C. Nooij].
“I suggest relinquishing the idea of a Palestinian state and being satisfied with an Israeli state that would include both Israelis and Palestinians and join the Arab League. Today, the Jews are heading the world’s economy, without the Jews you Arabs would not have known how to deposit your money in the bank.”
– Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, security chief of Dubai. 1951 AD
Groisman, M. (2016): Dubai security chief. Independent Palestinian state would be another failed Arab state. In: The Jerusalem Post. March 21, 2016, 20:55.
“On May 14, 1948, as the world was working toward a brighter and less war-torn future, the Israeli people declared their independence from the British Mandate. (…) The nation has not only survived, but has prospered. While ensuring the security of her people, Israel has maintained a firm commitment to democracy. We in the United States are fortunate to have Israel as an unshakeable ally in the Middle East.”
– Kenny Marchant, Scots-Irish American Representative (GOP) from Texas. 1951 AD
April 26, 2012 - Issue: Vol. 158, No. 61 — Daily Edition 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) - 2nd Session.
“The narrow strip of land that now constitutes modern Israel has been important to the Jewish people for four millennia, and the first Jewish kingdom was established in this region over 3,000 years ago. Although forced to emigrate from the historical Jewish homeland over the centuries, the Jewish people have continuously yearned for and often returned to their home. History shows that waves of Jewish people returned to the Holy Land at the very least during the 12th, 15th, 16th, and 18th centuries. Large-scale migration back to Israel started in the late 1800s and continues through today. Over the course of three wars, countless military operations, constant terrorism, and unjustified diplomatic and economic boycotts, Israel's existence has been continuously threatened. But, through it all, the Jewish people have remained vigilant and continue to build a strong and vibrant state. Today, Israel has one of the leading economies in the Middle East, while maintaining a strong commitment to human rights, freedom of speech, press and religion, and democratic values. With open and free elections, and an independent judiciary, Israel remains the most democratic country in the region.”
– Todd Tiahrt, American Representative (GOP) from Kansas. 1951 AD
May 14, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 79 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“Israel (…) strives for peace with its neighbors [and] is the Middle East’s lone functioning
democracy and by leaps and bounds the region’s leader in respecting human and civil rights.”
– Anthony H. Williams, African-American State Senator (Dem) of Pennsylvania. 1951 AD
Williams, A.H. (2014): The racism of the Israel-bashers. In: SPME. 04/11/2014.
“It is quite a particular situation, when we congratulate a more than 2000 years old people on their 60th year of independence. (…) Two millennia of persecution and Diaspora, of discriminations and pogroms, up to the Shoah. And just one day after David Ben Gurion proclaimed the new state in Tel Aviv, it was invaded by six Arab armies. (…) If you look at the newspapers in the year 1948, the number of skeptics was large. Only few thought Israel would have a chance to survive. Israel did win this first independence war. This did not mean, however, that its people could work on the construction of the Israeli society in peace and quiet. On the contrary. As of today, its enemies in the Middle East are still propagating the destruction of the State of Israel. As of today, the Israeli society is still characterized by life in a deferred situation of threat and, indeed, of war.”
– Dagmar Mühlenfeld, Rhenish/German mayor of Mülheim a.d. Ruhr. 1951 AD
Rede zum 60. Staatsjubiläum Israels 2008. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“We share with Israel a deep and lasting friendship based on the shared values of democracy and liberty strongly underpinned by the support of the vibrant Jewish community in Australia. (…) Israel is (…) a vibrant democracy as well, it's one of the great heartlands of modern democracy as well – the passionate belief in the freedom of the individual that we have in our own society. (…) Your country seems to me to be a kind of brutally egalitarian society and we kind of like that in Australia. (…) We have in Australia a wonderful Jewish community about 100,000 strong. They are just enormous contributors to our country. Our country would not be the great country it is if not for our small but incredibly successful Jewish community.”
– Alexander Downer, Anglo-Australian Foreign Minister. 1951 AD
Australian Parliament House: ParlInfo - Speech at the fortieth anniversary dinner of the Appeal.
“Israel has proven it can live in peace with Arabs: 65 years of a Jewish state with 1.5 million Israeli Arab citizens who enjoy mobility rights, voting, representation in the Knesset and in the courts, living alongside Jewish citizens.”
– James Lunney, Canadian Conservative MP. 1951 AD
Lunney, J. (2013): Time to reexamine the path to peace. In: The Jerusalem Post. October 2 2013, 23:23.
"Like the United States, the State of Israel has stood as a beacon of democracy and hope for Jewish immigrants all over the world. As an immigrant myself, I understand the importance of the democratic freedoms and values that our nation holds dear. The United States and Israel share and embrace those values as the cornerstones of a vibrant, democratic society."
– Albio Sires, Cuban-American Representative (Dem) from New Jersey. 1951 AD
April 11, 2013 - Issue: Vol. 159, No. 48 — Daily Edition 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) - 1st Session.
“The birth of the State of Israel gave the Jewish people a land to call their own and serves as a symbol of hope and freedom for all groups who have been oppressed. The creation of the State of Israel followed the attempted extermination of the Jewish people in the Holocaust. Neighborhoods and Jewish communities were divided and families were shattered, but the identity of the Jewish people as a whole remained strong. (...) Not only has Israel provided so much to the Jewish people, absorbing millions of Jews from countries throughout the world and integrating them into Israeli society, it has also done much to assist other nations facing natural and manmade crises around the world. Israel regularly sends humanitarian aid, search and rescue teams, mobile hospitals, and other emergency supplies, to help victims of disasters around the world.”
– Ellen Tauscher née O'Kane, Irish-American Representative from California. 1951 AD
April 22, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 64 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“The State of Israel remains one of the United States' strongest allies and its endurance is a testament to the ideals of freedom and democracy. Our nations share the common goals of peace, freedom, security, and prosperity for their citizens and for the region.”
– Gwen Moore, African-American (Dem) Representative from Wisconsin. 1951 AD
April 21, 2010 - Issue: Vol. 156, No. 57 — Daily Edition 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) - 2nd Session.
“Devoid of the riches that oil provides for their neighbours, the people of Israel set about their task of building a nation. Their components were hard work, determination, imagination, innovation and applied intelligence. As more refugees arrived from other parts of the world, the values of communication and teamwork were harnessed. (...) What can we learn from Israel’s experience? Ben-Gurion’s mantra led to communities being built throughout the desert, with transport, energy and water infrastructure linking people, towns and cities, creating jobs and boosting the economy. The human resources were found in the influx of refugees fleeing persecution with a determination to invest their blood, sweat and tears into the new home that had embraced them.”
– John Alexander, Anglo-Australian tennis player and Liberal MP. 1951 AD
Parliament of Australia. House. Tuesday, 21 August 2012.
“I have always encountered Israelis, who, despite my German nationality, always welcomed me cordially and supportively. The nature in the desert is magnificent. In the northern part of the country, afforested by the Israelis, [it's] almost like in Germany due to the woodlands. (...) Life [in Israel] is not easy. Nevertheless, the Israelis are a happy, extremely hospital and humorous people. In this country characterized by immigrants, everything seems to be well-organized. The presence of security forces cannot be overlooked. I feel very safe there. (...) I have the feeling that I could live in Israel, due to the local mentality of engagement, the openness and the climate.”
– Günther Engelmann, German activist. 1951 AD
Warum ich Israel liebe – Teil 1. In: Israel National Trail. [Translated by C. Nooij].
(BEWARE: Vladimir Putin supports anti-Semitic regimes and terrorist groups)
"Jewish individuals have made enormous intellectual, military and labour contributions to the development of our nation. (…) We fought Nazism together – I want to emphasise that we really fought together. This means that we have common humanitarian values – this is the sturdiest foundation for cooperation. (…) If it had not been for your decisive contribution to fighting Nazism, it is uncertain what course world history would have taken. (…) Russia believes that Israel is an element of stability in the Middle East, and hence in the whole world. (…) We have enormous respect for the achievements of the Jewish people and the Jewish state. (…) Israel is home to around 1 million, if not more, of our former compatriots, and we want to see them live in peace and security. (...) I follow closely what's going on in Israel. I support the struggle of Israel as it attempts to protect its citizens.”
– Vladimir Putin, Russian Prime Minister and President. 1952 AD
Visiting the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Centre. 13 June 2013.
“I am looking forward to visiting Israel to learn more about their cutting-edge paralysis research as well as their approaches to addressing the quality of life of those living with paralysis. Israel is the center of some of the world’s leading research related to paralysis. There are many new therapies in the pipeline as well as care strategies being employed that may also benefit millions of people around the world living with paralysis. This includes therapies derived from stem cell research. (…) I think that Israel is one of the countries that is leading the way in medical research, in particular with diseases and conditions that affect the central nervous system. Israeli researchers are some of the best in the world. (…) Hakol efshar (Everything is possible).”
– Christopher Reeve, American actor and author. 1952 – 2004 AD
Christopher Reeve. Israel is at center of world research on paralysis. In: Israel21C. July 27 2003.
“We understand perfectly well the determination of the State of Israel and the pride of the State of Israel to build a state to defend against their adversaries. And that is also the Polish experience, that you have to be determined in order to avoid taking once again the lesson of difficult loss of our independence. (…) And as friends of Israel, we are keeping fingers crossed for all the processes that go in the direction of increasing the security of the State of Israel.”
– Bronisław Komorowski, President of Poland. 1952 AD
Statements by PM Netanyahu and President of the Polish Republic Komorowski. 04.11.2013.
“They [Israel] are leading by leaps and bounds, and they are actually innovative in a number of sectors of the economy, in agriculture, in maritime, and a number of other areas. They have shown that they can lead, and we can learn a lot from what they do with challenge funds [funds that enable entrepreneurs to come up with business solutions to solve developmental issues]. I find this very interesting and would like to know more.”
– Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa. 1952 AD
Feinberg, T. (2019): Ramaphosa lauds Israel’s entrepreneurship funding. In: Jewish Report. Nov 7 2019.
“In August 1965, when Singapore unexpectedly became independent, the Israel Defense Forces helped us to develop the Singapore Armed Forces. We asked a number of countries, but only Israel responded to us, and it did so very promptly. Without the IDF, the SAF could not have grown its capabilities, deterred threats, defended our island, and reassured Singaporeans and investors that Singapore was secure and had a future. We will always be grateful that Israel helped us and stood by us at our time of great need. (…) We admire your technical prowess and ecosystem. You have the highest number of scientists, technicians, technologists, engineers per capita in the world. You have the third highest number of patents per capita.”
– Lee Hsien Loong, ethnic Chinese Prime Minister of Singapore. 1952 AD
PM Lee Hsien Loong at the Hebrew University on 18 April 2016
“In 1948, Israel was a third-world country. The transformation since then has been
vast, and now it’s a world leader in so many areas, especially water technology.”
– John Hickenlooper, Dutch-American Governor (Dem) of Colorado. 1952 AD
“The miracles that led to Israel’s defense of its independence are truly remarkable, even to the fact that they had only one plane for its entire air force and only seltzer bottles for bombs, yet they stood against the enemy in such amazing ways and began establishing themselves as an increasingly strong nation. (...) When they left the land of Israel, they spoke Hebrew. When they returned, they still spoke Hebrew. Do you know the chances of that happening? In most cultures, people who move into a new culture discard their old language within two generations. Yet God preserved the Hebrew language, despite the fact that His chosen people were displaced throughout the world. Another major fulfillment of prophecy came during the 1967 Six-Day War between Israel and Arab neighbors, primarily Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, but also including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria). Against overwhelming odds, this tiny nation defeated the best armies, navies, and air forces in the Middle East. (...) So many more miracles have been told and retold about Israel’s years of survival, no matter how improbable their survival has continued to be."
– Toufik "Benny" Hinn, Arab-Israeli / American pastor. 1952 AD
Hinn, B. (2009): Israel The Heart of Prophecy. In: Benny Hinn Ministries.
"Israel represents the frontline whose culture of life today is different in the world. We must take note of the fact that the right to existence of the State of Israel represents the inalienable value, the inviolable value par excellence."
– Magdi Allam, Egyptian-Italian journalist and politician. 1952 AD
Per la verità, per Israele. Manifestazione i Roma. 7 Ottobro 2010. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Israel has always been a people defined by religion, even for those who don't believe. The religious identity of Israel - not their race - defines the people, even those who say they don't believe in the God of Israel but identify with the people who do. We need to be reminded that there are Chinese Jews, African Jews, European Jews and even Arab Jews. Furthermore, Israel has always accepted people of different religions who join themselves to Israel and are willing to do what that requires - religious or otherwise. In biblical times Rahab and her family and Ruth were Gentiles who were attracted to the God of Israel and assimilated. Many of David's men were foreigners from today's Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Turkey who fought as soldiers and leaders in his army. Some became his trusted advisers (2 Sam 23:8-39; 1 Chron 11:10-47). Many probably became assimilated to Israel. The best way to disabuse oneself of this myth of racism is to go to Israel today and see the thousands of handsome young Ethiopian men and women serving in the IDF. One will also notice the racial differences between white Ashkenazi Jews of European descent and the darker-complexioned Sephardi Jews from North Africa. (...) Importantly, as a democracy Israel has almost two million Muslim and Christian Arabs, Druze, Bahá'ís, Circassians and other ethnic groups as citiziens with full rights. Despite all this, some speak of 'Israeli apartheid'. This accusation is not only inaccurate and inflammatory but egregiously unfair. (...) Israeli citizens of all races - Arabs and Jews alike - can vote, can be represented in the Knesset and have recourse to the courts."
– Gerald R. McDermott, American Anglican preacher. 1952 AD
McDermott, G.R. (2016): The New Christian Zionism. Fresh Perspectives on Israel and the Land. Page 22-24.
"I support Israel not only because I worship a Jew but because of what the Bible says about Israel and the future of Israel. (…) Israel is America's closest ally in the Middle East and the only true democracy in that region of the world. (…) For the U.S. not to stand with Israel is shameful."
– Franklin Graham, Scots-Irish American evangelist. 1952 AD
Paulson, B. (2014): Franklin Graham Speaks at Israeli Embassy. May 1 2014.
“Standing up for the Jews and their state is a Christian duty. For Israel needs a peace that is more than the deadly calm of an armistice. And solidarity that is more than simply words. Prayers belong to that, like journeys.”
– Peter Hahne, Westphalian/German TV presenter. 1952 AD
Segne Israel (2000): Zitate. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Evangelical support for Israel is founded not on a prophecy, but on a promise, (...) It is the promise God made to Abraham that the Jewish people would receive the land of Canaan for the sake of world redemption. The Jewish people became servants of the lord, to bring an understanding of revelation of God and his redemptive purpose to the world. Evangelicals defend their right to live in peace and security in land of Canaan, support that comes out of a sense of gratitude for what we've received..”
– Malcolm Hedding, South African pastor and anti-apartheid activist of Scottish descent. 1952 AD
Smith, L. (2010): Friends in Deed. 16 March 2010.
“I remain unwavering in my support for the Jewish state and the unique partnership between the United States and Israel. (…) I applaud our continuing legacy of support for the Jewish State, and the struggles, inventiveness and vitality of the Jewish people. (…) We can best advance stability in the region by providing Israel our 100 percent support.”
– John Kasich, Czech-American Governor (GOP) of Ohio. 1952 AD
John Kasich's Speech to AIPAC. 22 March 2016.
“Israel is a beacon of hope in a region burdened with instability and chaos. The special relationship between the United States and Israel has brought our nations and people closer and provided strategic national security advantages for both.”
– Rick Scott né Myers, American Governor (GOP) of Florida. 1952 AD
Scott, R. (2022): Congress Must Continue to Support Israel, Fund Security & Defense Initiatives. May 19, 2022.
"Being in comedy I have always had an interest in Jewish culture and I owe a great deal of my career to the foundations laid by the Jewish culture. I have always wanted to come to Israel because I believe that right now it is the linchpin of western security."
– Dan Aykroyd, Canadian comedian and actor. 1952 AD
Lange, D. (2006): Dan Aykroyd. Mensch. May 31, 2006.
“I actually do think that Israel went to extraordinary lengths to limit collateral damage and civilian casualties. (…) They did some extraordinary things to try and limit civilian casualties, to include making it known that they were going to destroy a particular structure. They even developed some techniques, they called it ‘roof-knocking’, or they would display leaflets to warn the citizens and population to move away. (…) The IDF is not interested in creating civilian casualties, they’re interested in stopping the shooting of missiles out of the Gaza Strip and into Israel. It’s an incredibly difficult environment, but I can say to you with confidence, that I think they acted responsibly.”
– General Martin Dempsey, Irish-American US Chief of Staff. 1952 AD
Alexander, D. (2014): Israel tried to limit civilian casualties in Gaza: U.S. military chief. In: Reuters. November 6, 2014.
“If we say that the air force is the sword of Israel,
then Israel is a consummate and superb fencer.”
– Liu Yazhou, Chinese general. 1952 AD
Chunshan, M. (2013): Why Israel Is Not A Model For China. In: The Diplomat. December 6 2013.
“I say: there is the necessity of creating an honest peace and an honest peace also requires that EVERYONE no longer needs to feel that his existence and future is being threatened. And for as long as Israel’s future is under threat, I stand on the side of Israel. Period.”
– Michael Sommer, Rhenish/German chairman of German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB). 1952 AD
Israelkongress 2013 - Rede Michael Sommer. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“We need to learn from Israel in the area of agricultural management and land use. The
State of Israel has made achievements in about 65 years despite its arid environment.”
– James Ongwae, Kenyan governor of Kisii. 1952 AD
Udasin, S. (2015): Kenyan governor. We must learn from Israeli agriculture expertise. In: The Jerusalem Post. November 1 2015.
“I and my congregation and those I represent are passionately committed to the safety and security of Israel. (...) We stand, as American citizens, as Christians, as clergy, with the nation of Israel. Israel has been more persecuted than any other people on the face of the earth. And we say with them: NEVER AGAIN – NEVER, NEVER, NEVER! And I would remind the American people that as Israel goes, so goes the United States of America!”
– E. W. Jackson, African-American politician and evangelist. 1952 AD
E.W. Jackson Stands With Israel. 10 June 2011. In: Youtube.
"Israel is a democracy with freedom of speech, freedom under the law, and it offers the West a stable friend in a notoriously unstable region. No dictatorship, even a benign one, can come close to matching that. (...) Israel is an open, free, liberal society surrounded by states in which the rule of law is but a distant memory, and its voice deserves to be heard. (...) It is immensely important that we speak up for the only working democracy in the Middle East. A bastion of democracy, a bastion of free speech, a bastion of civil liberties.”
– Eric Pickles, English/British Minister of State for Faith (Conservative). 1952 AD
CFI Informed Magazine 2015/2016. Page 10. & CFI Parliamentary Reception, January 2016.
“Israel, despite sacrifices that other nations did not have to undergo, is today a free nation anchored in democracy. It is this democracy and rule of law that has given Israel a special place in the international community because it has been an outpost of democracy in a region of dictatorships. (...) Israel is the only country in its region, and leading in the world, that respects women's rights as equal to men's. They can, just like men, vote freely, be elected freely and choose professions. Arab women in Israel have the same rights, but in the Arab world they are without any rights. [They can become] fighter pilots, prime ministers, foreign ministers, business leaders, wage earners, members of parliament and more. (...) Israel is a country where people have the same rights regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnic belonging or religion.”
– Gunnar Hökmark, Swedish member of European parliament. 1952 AD
Hökmark, G. (2023): För Israel är det extra viktigt med en bred samling. 3 April 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
Hökmark, G. (2023): Israel är en nation som måste stå samlad – inte splittrad kring den egna styresformen. 28 March 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
Wallström har valt tystnadens väg. In: Expressen. April 7 2016. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“As Bible-believing Christians, we think the Scriptures are very clear about the covenant the Lord made with the People of Israel. Through Israel we are crafted into that covenant. (…) For us, standing with Israel and the Jewish people is standing with one's eldest brother. One can sometimes have disagreements with one's brothers and sisters, but when they are threatened, you always support them. (…)In the last year of Israeli rule [1993], GDP per capita in the West Bank was $3,500, and in Gaza, $2,800, and it had been growing. Had that growth continued, it would have been by now [2006] approximately $7,000. (…) It certainly would have dwarfed that of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Before the second Palestinian uprising in September 2000, under Palestinian Authority rule, the GDP per capita had fallen to about $1,300. Since then it has only declined further.”
– Rijk van Dam, Dutch member of the European Parliament (RPF/CU). 1952 AD
Post-holocaust and Anti-semitism - Nummers 40-75. 2006.
“I had goosebumps all over my body the day I landed in Israel. I'm not gonna go into the history and all of that stuff, but you know what I'm talking about. This is where the world started at, right here… Sometimes, just the thought of coming to Israel blows my mind.”
– John Lee Hooker Jr., African-American musician. 1952 AD
“Unlike the Arabs, the Jews help create civilization and are not [merely] consuming it. The culture [whose technology] we use to communicate, whose air conditioners we sleep under, whose hospitals we are treated in, and whose cement roofs we pray under, is the culture of the Jews and the Crusaders.”
– Abdullah Bin Bakheet, Saudi novelist and journalist. 1952 AD
Ben Solomon, A. (2012): Arab writers call for learning from Israel’s technology, democracy and morality. May 2, 2014. 02:15.
“Modern Israel was founded in 1948 as a home and sanctuary for the Jewish people. Australia and the world must afford Israel every support it needs to defend itself from terrorist attacks and violations of its territorial sovereignty and integrity. Its welfare, prosperity and very survival matters to us all, and we must be prepared to stand strong with Israel.”
– Tim James, Australian member of the New South Wales parliament (Liberal). 1952 AD
Parliament of New South Wales.Legislative Assembly Hansard – 22 November 2023 – Proof.
“Israel is a reliable partner. (…) The fruitful cooperation between the two nations contributes greatly to tremendously important spheres of collaboration, including agriculture, water, research and development and more.”
– Sushma Swaraj, Punjabi/Indian External Affairs Minister. 1952 AD
FM Liberman speaks with Indian FM Swaraj. 29.05.2014.
“Israel is a great friend and ally to the United States, and it is important that our relationship remain resilient and unwavering as growing challenges in the Middle East threaten the future and security of both of our nations.”
– Bob Corker, American Senator (GOP) from Tennessee. 1952 AD
Corker Statement on Netanyahu Address to Congress. March 3 2015.
“Israel is one of America’s closest allies. Among many things, the U.S. must ensure that Israel maintains a qualitative military edge so that it can confront growing threats to its security. There should be no daylight between the U.S. and Israel when it comes to our unshakeable bond.”
– Sherrod Brown, Scots-Irish American Senator (Dem) from Ohio. 1952 AD
Brown's Address at AIPAC Policy Conference. March 6 2012.
“We know that Americans feel a kinship with Israel because our countries share common values, such as liberty, equality, and human rights. America and Israel have stayed true to these values even as we have responded to murderous attacks by some of the most ruthless terrorist organizations on the planet.”
– John Cornyn, Irish-American Senator (GOP) from Texas. 1952 AD
“No other people on earth have survived and prospered in the face of so much hardship. The Jewish community has been contemporaries of the Assyrians and Babylon, Crusaders and Rome, the Hapsburgs and the Soviet Kremlin. They have faced injustice, persecution, expropriation, pogroms, and genocide; and they have persevered. The return of the Jews to the Holy Land is perhaps the greatest historical event of our time. The Jewish community emerged from the greatest tragedy the Diaspora had ever known, and in its aftermath built the greatest triumph. (...) Today we know that the destruction of the Second Temple, and the Inquisition, and the pogroms, and the Holocaust were not in fact the end of the story. The legend did not end. In 1948, the new chapter of the tribes of Israel began, always glorious and always tragic, animating the pages of history until the final chapter of man. May Israel ever be with us, and us ever by her side.”
– Gordon H. Smith, American Senator (GOP) from Oregon. 1952 AD
May 8, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 76 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session
“Both Israel and the United States understand the values of life, liberty, opportunity, security, and freedom. 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.”
– John Barrasso, Italian-American Senator (GOP) from Wyoming. 1952 AD
“ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN PEACE PROCESS” PUBLISHED BY CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON SEPT. 12, 2011
“In the 1840s Jews started settling in the Land of Israel and rebuilding the Jewish nation in the land of their forefathers after about 1700 years of forced exile that would culminate in the State of Israel. (…) Many [Russian] Jews tried to escape abroad, including to their heimat in the Holy Land of their ancestors… only to become persecuted and hounded again by the Arabs and from 1917 until May 14 1948 also by their British occupants.”
– Hugo van Minnebruggen, Flemish blogger and activist. 1952 AD
Vlaamse Vienden van Israël (brabosh.com). [Translated by C. Nooij].
"This people [of Israel] is peaceful and peace-loving, is not hostile or aggressive; a people that defends itself only when necessary, while trying to minimally harm its enemies. (...) All should know that the Holy Land is their land and that Jerusalem is the direction towards which they pray and [the city they face] during their readings and ceremonies."
– Ahmad al-Adwan, Jordanian sheikh. 1952 AD
MIDA (2014): A Zionist Islam. An Interview with Sheikh Ahmad al-Adwan. 03/03/2014.
“When people ask me why I'm a friend of Israel, I give them a simple answer: because I admire Israel, her people and what they have achieved since her creation. (...) I have never actually found it hard to be a friend of Israel, I am proud to be a friend of Israel. Whatever differences there are with whatever government is in power from time to time, it is a democracy; it has a right to exist. It is actually a country that (...) [could] be in many ways, particularly in economic development and indeed in some ways political development, a model for the region. (...) Israel is a democracy. The politicians are in fear of the people, not the people in fear of the politicians. Citizens are governed by the rule of law. Men and women are equal before the law. In Israel you can worship your faith in the way you want; or not as you choose. There is freedom of thought and speech; Israeli society is vibrant, its art electrifying and its culture open. In many respects, the Middle East region should regard Israel not as an enemy but as a model. I admire the fortitude of its people.”
– Tony Blair, Scottish Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. 1953 AD
Greene, T. (2013): Blair, Labour, and Palestine. Conflicting Views on Middle East Peace After 9/11.
Tony Blair at AIPAC Policy Forum 2011. 22 May 2011.
"Israel is our first line of defence in a turbulent region that is constantly at risk of descending into chaos; a region vital to our energy security owing to our overdependence on Middle Eastern oil; a region that forms the front line in the fight against extremism. If Israel goes down, we all go down. (...) Israel is a fundamental part of the West. The West is what it is thanks to its Judeo-Christian roots. If the Jewish element of those roots is upturned and Israel is lost, then we are lost too. Whether we like it or not, our fate is inextricably intertwined."
– José María Aznar López, Basque Prime Minister of Spain. 1953 AD
Aznar, J.M. (2010): If Israel goes down, we all go down. In: The Times. 17 June 2010.
“[There is a] common destiny which bonds [NATO] Allies and the Mediterranean. A strong and dynamic relationship between the Euro-Atlantic countries and Israel is a key part of it. We have much in common, not least a pluralist democracy, a robust public debate and a lively media scene.”
– Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Denmark and NATO Secretary-General. 1953 AD
by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the 11th Herzliya Conference in Herzliya, Israel. 9 February 2011.
“As it was my father’s wont, who always would say goodbye to me in the morning, he gently gripped my shoulder and said, “Son, get up. Israel is fighting for its life. The Middle East is aflame.” It was very early in the morning for television in those days, but the news shows were offering special coverage of what would be one of the greatest military victories in modern history, the Six Day War. My father and I would remain glued to the television for the entire war. And when we saw those images of Israeli paratroopers worshiping at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, we knew that we were witnessing something extraordinary. And when I looked at my dad I was surprised to see him weeping for joy. This was the man whose destroyer was torpedoed by a German u-boat in the North Atlantic, even before World War II began, and would fight his way all the way across the Atlantic and all the way across the Pacific, and whose ship was anchored within sight of the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay in 1945 when the Japanese surrendered. Later he would fight in the Korean War and he would design the U.S. strategic communications that would enable the Navy to dominate the seas against the Soviet Navy during the Cold War. This good man, this hard man, was weeping tears of joy. The Jewish people were safe. Israel would survive. You know, I would never be the same again…”
– John R. Allen, American general of the United States Marine Corps. 1953 AD
Rosenberg, Y. (2016): Watch General John Allen’s Moving Account of How He Became a Zionist—and Why He Still Has Hope for Peace. In: Tablet. December 16, 2016.
“If you observed your kid in the schoolyard, and your kid was figuratively speaking the Jewish kid on the schoolyard. And the schoolyard was filled with the Arab kids and they were like, you know, lobbing stuff at him, and pushing him and going up to him and saying his extermination leads to them getting an extra study, and all that, you know. What would you tell your kid, would you tell him to get all subtextual like this and try to to figure it out? Or would you say, ‘listen, walk away from that nut, walk away from him. (…) If he touches you, you gotta break his nose… here, I’ll show you how to break somebody’s nose. Or you gotta kick him…’ ‘Dad, he’s really big.’ ‘Alright, then you might get your ass kicked, but you gotta take your shot.’”
– Dennis Miller, Scottish-American stand-up comedian. 1953 AD
Dennis Miller Defends Israel's Right to Keep Its Existing Borders. In: The Dennis Miller Show.
“China and Israel enjoy a long history of friendship. (...) China and Israel both own a long-standing civilization, and have appreciated each other, learned from each other, and communicated with each other since long ago, which laid the foundation of our friendship. Now the most important mission for us is to pass the friendship on to the young people and to the future generations. (...) China and Israel are highly complementary in their economic development. Israel is a country of innovation. (...) If embedding Israel, as the wisdom 'chip', in China, which is a high-speed running engine, enormous energy will burst out. China is moving fast towards national rejuvenation, and we name it the Chinese dream. (...) I hope and believe that the pace of the people of Israel will go with the process of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
– Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister. 1953 AD
Wang Yi on His Visit to Israel: It is for Friendship, Cooperation and Peace. 2013-12-19 17:05.
“There is no room for anti-Semitism in France. A France without Jews will no
longer be France. France is proud to hold the largest population of Jews in Europe.”
– Ségolène Royal, French Minister of Ecology. 1953 AD
Booth, W. & Eglash, R. (2015): In Jerusalem, thousands gather for funeral of 4 Jewish men killed in Paris. In: Washington Post. January 13, 2015 at 1:29 p.m. EST.
“Before and immediately after Sierra Leone gained independence, my country benefited from technical and other support from Israel, resulting in the construction of public buildings including the House of Parliament, the Bank of Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Post Office, civil servants’ living quarters and the first home of our executive. (…) Sierra Leone is grateful to the government and the people of the State of Israel for the support you provided us during a very difficult moment in our fight against Ebola.”
– Ernest Bai Koroma, ethnic Temne President of Sierra Leone. 1953 AD
PM Netanyahu Meets President of Sierra Leone Ernest Bai Koroma. 11 January 2017.
“As a young boy I had read many books about the war. Some of them mentioned the Holocaust. (...) Some Jews survived Hitler's mass murder. Many of them lived in Israel. But they were not safe. Israel's neighboring Arab states wanted to complete Hitler's work. I prayed to God that it must not happen. (...) My lesson from the Six Day War, which broke out 50 years ago today, was: We must always support Israel. We can never allow a new Holocaust to happen. Israel's and the Jews' security must be the first priority. Since then I have supported Israel in every way that was possible for me, and fortunately there have been many. I will continue with that. Because we must never again risk an entire people being driven to their deaths against their will."
– Jan Simonsen, Norwegian member of the Storting (FrP). 1953 – 2019 AD
Simonsen, J. (2017): En uke for 50 år siden. In: Idag. 05.06.2017 kl 09:36. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Germany and Israel nurture special relations with one another. (...) Today Germany and its capital city of Berlin are friends of Israel. (...) Berlin is not only proud of its rapidly growing Jewish community, but also of the many people from Israel visiting our city."
– Klaus Woworeit, Prussian/German president of the Bundesrat and mayor of Berlin. 1953 AD
Grußworte. In: Israelkongress Journal 2013. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"In Israel there is no occupation, there is liberalism. (…) The conflict is not between Palestinians and Israelis, it's between terrorists and moderates. (…) The realists in Iraq want to be normal and are open to the idea of accepting Israel as a modern country and a (…) part of the Middle East. (…) Israel is a reality in the Middle East. (…) I look to the Israelis and Americans as supporters for peace in the Middle East.”
– Mithal al-Alusi, Arab-Iraqi member of parliament. 1953 AD
Peretz, M. (2008): A Real Iraqi Hero, Betrayed By The United States. In: The New Republic. September 25 2008.
“Arab-Israeli 1948 war itself (…) erupted as Israel was born. The war proved that the Jews had the will, desire, attitude, and power to sustain their new country and that was portrayed in the way they came out fighting; meanwhile, the Arabs showed much less interest despite sending their armies from certain states. (…) Here, the United States realized that Israel could be an ally in the Middle East that it could rely on. In other words, the Jews dictated the U.S. new policy with what they proved on the ground.”
– Fred Aprim, Assyrian-American author. 1953 AD
Aprim, F. (2005): The Dilemma of the Iraqi Draft Constitution & Looking Forward. In: Zinda Magazine. 19 October 2005.
"Much of the problem, then, quite simply is also psychological and arises because a Jewish state is right smack in the middle of the Arab world — and by every measure of economic, political, social, and cultural success thriving amid misery. Without oil, without a large population, without friendly countries on its borders, without vast real estate, and without the Suez Canal, it somehow provides its citizenry with a way of life far more humane than what is found in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, or Egypt."
– Victor Davis Hanson, Swedish-American historian and political commentator. 1953 AD
Hanson, V.D. (2003): Palestinian Pretense & Israeli Reality. What the world knows, but can’t say, to be true. In: National Review. March 18, 2003.
"When our country was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, Israel did not hesitate to offer support and solidarity. Today, in Jerusalem, there is a memorial to 9/11 that is the only memorial outside the U.S. that bears the name of all those who perished. True friendship is not demonstrated only in the good times but in those darkest hours in which it may be hardest to see the light. Israel is a beacon of hope, democracy and liberty in the Middle East and our shared values bind us in a friendship and partnership that will endure and will light the way forward."
– Ken Calvert, American Representative (GOP) from California. 1953 AD
REP. CALVERT STATEMENT ON ATTACK ON ISRAEL. October 10, 2023.
“There is one country in the world that fascinates us by having the highest number of Nobel Prize laureates per capita, and that’s Israel with its 12 Nobel Prize laureates during its 65 years of history as a state. Israel, with the approximate land area of Småland, has some 8 million inhabitants. (...) The average life expectancy for men in Israel is higher than Sweden’s. Israel has a lower unemployment than Sweden, at 6%. Medically, Israel’s care is of world class and the country’s hospitals are at the highest level of the western world. 219,464 Palestinian patients received medical treatment at Israeli hospitals in 2012, of which 21,270 were children. Right now, Israel has a field hospital near the Syrian border, where injured Syrians receive treatment. Seriously injured Syrians are brought to major hospitals in core Israel for treatment and care. (...) More than 75% of the country's wastewater is returned to the trees and cotton plantings after a high degree purification. Israel has increased desalination of sea water, which means that 80% of the country's drinking water requirements may this year be covered by desalinated seawater. Environmental awareness is at the forefront in Israel when it comes to small-scale utilization of solar energy for households.”
– Annelie Enochson, Swedish member of the Riksdag (KD). 1953 AD
Enochson, A. (2014): Utrikespolitiska debatten onsdag den 19 februari 2014. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“The proclamation of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, on May 14 1948, after the termination of the mandate by the British government, expresses the self-determination of the Jewish nation. Withint hat context it must (…) be stressed that the choice for the own identity as Jewish State is fully protected by the right of self-determination. (…) We must establish that the settlements are located on the original territory of the Mandate, which was assigned for the settlement of a Jewish National Home. Above I have already argued that the rights of the Jewish nation under the Mandate have never expired. That includes the right of Jews/Israelis to settle in mandatory territory as per article 6.”
– Matthijs de Blois, Dutch professor of international rights. 1953 AD
Blois, Matthijs de (2012): Israël en het internationaal recht. In: Israëlcongres. 4. juni 1014 Nijkerk. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel is a leading country of innovation and an exciting partner for cooperation. Fraunhofer will more closely align both research systems with its activities. Cyber security is a central theme for both countries and a good example of how cooperation comes to existence.”
– Reimund Neugebauer, Bavarian/German President of the Fraunhofer Society. 1953 AD
Fraunhofer SIT (2015): Führende Forscher aus Deutschland und Israel bündeln Kräfte für globales Cybersicherheits-Zentrum. 21.10.2015.
“It is a privilege to recognise the remarkable achievements and enduring resilience of the Israeli people over the past seven and a half decades. Israel's journey as a nation is a testament to the indomitable spirit and unwavering determination of its citizens. From the early pioneers who transformed the desert into flourishing agricultural landscapes to the trailblazing innovators who have propelled Israel to the forefront of technological advancement, the State of Israel has exemplified the triumph of human ingenuity and perseverance. (...) In an increasingly interconnected world, it is imperative that we forge strong ties with nations that share our values of democracy, freedom and human rights. Israel, a vibrant democracy in the heart of the Middle East, stands as a beacon of hope and progress in a region that is often plagued with conflict and instability. (...) Israel, a nation borne out of adversity, has triumphed against all odds and has built a thriving economy, robust technological sector and vibrant cultural heritage.”
– Robert Borsak, Polish-Australian councillor (SFF) from New South Wales. 1953 AD
Parliament of New South Wales.Legislative Council Hansard – 24 May 2023.
“The per-capita venture-capital investment in Israel is 2.5 times that in the U.S and 30 times that in Europe. Israel attracts as much venture capital as Britain, France and Germany combined and it has more companies listed on Nasdaq than any other country outside the US and its economic growth has been faster than the average for developed economies in most years since 1995. Between 1980 and 2000, 7652 patents were registered in the U.S. from Israel.”
– Rhoda Kadalie, South African (Coloured) anti-Apartheid activist. 1953 – 2022 AD
Kadalie, R. (2012). In: Die Burger 11 September 2012.
“I believe our friends - and Israel is our closest ally - should know that we have their back. (…) If we cannot stand with our ally Israel in the face of this terror, we cannot be relied on to lead the world in the name of free people any longer.”
– Jeb Bush, American Governor (GOP) of Florida. 1953 AD
Jeb: Move U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem in Signal to Iran. In: Jewish Insider. November 25, 2015.
“The battle of 2000 years to live as one people and one nation, to thrive against all odds, to succeed when no one thought it was possible, to pray that one day soon, the children of Israel would usher in the age of peace and security. Now, Israel's hopes would no longer be bound by mortar fire and missile attacks; that the Jewish state would be able to live out its century-old creed: ‘If you will it, it is not a dream’. (…) It is the story of resilience in the face of great danger. It is the tale of overcoming insurmountable obstacles and succeeding beyond anyone's imagination. It's the belief that the weapons of Israel's enemies cannot break the will of Israel's people, the attacks of terrorists cannot shape the determination of this community, and the voices of hate and intolerance, anti-Semitism, and injustice will not drown out the calls for peace and security.”
– Antonio Villaraigosa, Mexican-American mayor (Dem) of Los Angeles. 1953 AD
AIPAC Annual Conference Opening Speeches. May 3, 2009.
“Taking the progressive spirit of its founders and its pioneers, the people of Israel founded a vibrant democracy, a strong welfare state, a thriving free press, and independent judiciary. It has also become an economic giant, a high-tech centre, second only to the United States of America. A land of innovation and entrepreneurship, venture capital and graduates, private and public enterprise.”
– Hilary Benn, English/British Secretary of State for International Development (Labour). 1953 AD
LFI Annual Lunch 2015 – Keynote speech by Guest of Honour. 17 November 2015.
“While Israel is frequently cited as a model of democracy in the Middle East, I would like to focus on Israel's advances in embryonic stem cell research. (…) For years at facilities like Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, the Weizmann Institute, and many others, Israeli scientists have blazed a path for the rest of the world to follow.”
– Ed Perlmutter, American Representative (Dem) from Colorado. 1953 AD
May 15, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 80 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“The Unites States is a lifelong supporter of Zion as the spiritual tree of the founding of the Republic. (…) Israel is a fundamentally important part of the Western world. It is a democracy under fire, and we must be resolute in defense of its legitimacy.”
– Robert Agostinelli, Italian-American billionaire. 1953 AD
“Israel is a model to us. The Philippine government is eager to learn from Israel’s best dairy practices, we want to know more about the technologies. We have also watched with great interest the progress of the joint dairy projects between Israel and Vietnam, and we wish to learn as much in the Philippines.”
– William Dar, Filipino Secretary of Agriculture. 1953 AD
Philippine Department of Agriculture (2022): FROM THE MANILA TIMES. Israel, PH sign joint declaration for the development of dairy sector. 28 March 2022.
"The nation of Israel holds a unique position in the history of Western civilization, and is supported the world over by millions of Christians, Jews and people of other faiths. (…) The vast majority of people in Israel hope for a day when their hostile neighbors recognize and embrace their presence in the Middle East. I am proud that America was by Israel's side in 1948, and I am proud today to highlight this relationship between our countries that is now 60 years strong. (...) Israel, like America, rose to prominence through the hard work of immigrants, and Israel remains the best model of democracy, religious freedom and peaceful coexistence in a very hostile location in the world. The contributions of Israeli ingenuity and Israeli technology are making an impact in the Middle East and throughout the world. ”
– Dave Weldon, American Representative (GOP) from Florida. 1953 AD
April 22, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 64 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“Sixty-two years ago, the State of Israel was born, and on that day many did not believe Israel could withstand the impending struggle and remain a beacon of hope and democracy for the world. Despite decades of terror and threats to its existence, the nation still stands today, proud and defiant to those who would wish her harm. (…) Our unwavering support for the security and prosperity of Israel continues to this day because of the core ideals our two countries share, ideals of perseverance, democracy, and innovation.”
– Judy Chu, Chinese-American Representative (Dem) from California. 1953 AD
April 21, 2010 - Issue: Vol. 156, No. 57 — Daily Edition 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) - 2nd Session.
“We know that Israel is a democracy, a great democracy; so we are and should be friends. We know that Israel believes in the value of human life and human rights. We are and should be friends. Someone once referred to Israel as the miner's canary for the world because when Israel suffers, the world is about to suffer. That's the kind of friend we need to hold close and work together with.”
– Louie Gohmert, German-American Representative (GOP) from Texas. 1953 AD
May 4, 2009 - Issue: Vol. 155, No. 67 — Daily Edition 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) - 1st Session.
“Israel’s fate and the region’s stakes have always fascinated me. This is where the earliest and the most intense pages of humanity were written. I trembled for Israel during the Yom Kippur War. All nations have had to overcome issues to exist and to unite, but Israel is not a nation like any other. (…) The existence of Israel is not debatable and its security is therefore not negotiable. Israel is our friend and ally and whoever threatened its existence would expose itself to our toughest response.”
– François Fillon, Prime Minister of the French Republic. 1954 AD
Cloarec, G. (2016): When it comes to Israel, is François Fillon friend or foe?. In: The Times of Israel. 29 November 2016.
"On 14 May 1948, you founded a sovereign nation, equal to all the others but different from them, as you made your tragedy as a lever to build your country. You have fought so many times in the last 65 years to preserve your country. And if Israel lives, if it exists, it is thanks only to you. I would therefore like to render homage to the whole Jewish people, whose history is interwoven with that of all humanity. (…) They have however written and sung in many languages, they have shared their talents, their knowledge and their creativity. They have helped to improve the world. But never have the Jewish people ceased to look towards this land: the land of Israel. (…) You have built a solid, dynamic and prosperous economy, on land which was not necessarily the most fertile and with limited resources. You have maintained the mindset of the pioneers. Today, in the high technology field, you have even taken the lead. (…) You have managed to create a global centre for innovation."
– François Hollande, President of the French Republic. 1954 AD
Speech by M. François Hollande, President of the Republic, to the Knesset Jerusalem, November 18, 2013.
"60 years of Israel, that's 60 years of magnificent work by people struggling to build a nation under difficult circumstances. 60 years of Israel, that's 60 challenging years of countering threats and fighting for peace and security. 60 years of Israel, that's 60 years of integrating immigrants into the body politic of this land. 60 years of Israel, we have a country bursting with vitality and confidence, capable of great technological feats, with a wealth of culture and traditions. 60 years of Israel, this is most of all an occasion for great joy."
– Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany. 1954 AD
Rede von Bundeskanzlerin Dr. Angela Merkel vor der Knesset am 18. März 2008 in Jerusalem.
“[I] confirm our excellent relations based on a historical friendship and also on historical civilizations. (...) We have excellent relations in trade and we are a great admirer of the Israeli capacity of innovation, research, technology.”
– Paolo Gentiloni, Prime Minister of Italy. 1954 AD
“I have also reconfirmed the bonds and ties that existed from long ago between the Jewish and the Japanese. Based on these bonds from times past from times past and based on your friendship, Japan will continue our endeavor to reinforce our relationship as a friend of Israel.”
– Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan. 1954 AD
Statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe. 19.01.2015.
“I am proud of being an Israeli citizen. This is a very historic day and week because it is the first time that a person from the minorities has become the president of Israel. (…) We actually are a democratic country. I think my appointment is the example and answer for those who accuse Israel of being an apartheid state. It shows minorities have equal rights and we are part of the government, the state and the parliament.”
– Majalli Wahabi, Druze Acting President of Israel (Likud). 1954 AD
“We rejoice at the revival of Jewish life in Poland. We see in it the triumph of life over death, of freedom over bondage, a return to the great Polish tradition of a multinational Republic. With special satisfaction we hail the Jewish youths coming to Poland from all quarters of the world. The participation of young Jews, alongside Poles, in the annual March of the Living provides an excellent lesson of history. (…) We support Israel’s just aspirations to normally function on the international arena. Israel, the only UNO state, is not admitted to its regional grouping. Consequently, it is deprived of representation at UN bodies and authorities. It should not be so that the Israeli society of the Red Star of David is deprived, as the only one in the world, of full membership of the IFRC, only due to its symbol. I rest convinced this must change.”
– Aleksander Kwaśniewski, President of Poland. 1954 AD
Address by Aleksander Kwasniewski to the Knesset. 29 May 2000.
"We have a common bond, we are like family. We had a common enemy: evil, but even in the darkest days, your people showed us how to withstand the worst atrocities. You believed in liberty and your state and have overcome all obstacles. In Ukraine there is support for Israel. We have kept in our hearts the pain and sorrow of those victims of the Holocaust. We reject anti-Semitism and xenophobia and will fight this evil that poisons all good things."
– Viktor Yushchenko, Prime Minister and President of Ukraine. 1954 AD
Sofer, R. (2007): Yushchenko reveals information on mass graves from the Holocaust. In: YNet News. 11.14.07, 16:30.
(BEWARE: PM Erdogan has frequent anti-Semitic outbursts)
"Everyone should unconditionally accept that Israel is an indispensable element of the Middle Eastern mosaic.”
– Recep T. Erdoğan, Prime Minister of Türkiye. 1954 AD
Erdogan: "Democracy in the Middle East, PluralIism in Europe: Turkish View", The Turkish Weekly (October 12, 2004).
"Look at a country like Israel. They spend half of their budget on defense because they're surrounded by countries that want to kill them. Israel is an absolute hub of innovation. (…) Israel has five million people, six million entrepreneurs, and fifteen million opinions. Singapore has five million people, six entrepreneurs, and one opinion"
– Guy Kawasaki, Japanese-American businessman. 1954 AD
Old Dominion University: Former Apple Tech-Evangelist Guy Kawasaki Wows ODU Entrepreneurs. April 1 2015.
“Every democracy has a right to defend itself against such attacks. Israel is no exception. Israel is a part of the front line for democracy against terrorism. It must not stand alone. (…) Conservatives have always stood for the values that Israel stands for: freedom, positive achievement and the rule of law. As I have said before, these are the values that distinguish democracies from tyrannies and will underpin real and everlasting peace in the Middle East.”
– Iain Duncan Smith, Scottish/British Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. 1954 AD
Heard, L.S. (2004): Condemned to a Hobson’s Choice. In: CounterPunch. February 28, 2004.
Mendoza, A. (2015): The New Special Relationship: The British Conservative Party and Israel. In: Fathom.
“Arabs have been flocking to Israel ever since it was created and even before, coinciding with the wave of Jewish immigration into Palestine prior to 1948. (…) If Israel's policies make life so intolerable for Arabs, why do they continue to flock to the Jewish state? (…) The Arab population of Palestine was historically extremely low – prior to the Jews' renewed interest in the area beginning in the early 1900s. (…) It is also true that the Arab population increased following Jewish immigration into the region. The Arabs came because of economic activity. And, believe it or not, they came because there was more freedom and more opportunity in Israel than in their own homelands.”
– Joseph Farah, Syrian-American (Arab) author and journalist. 1954 AD
Farah, J. (2002): The 'settlements' issue. In: WND. December 12, 2002 at 1:00am.
“I admire the Jews. Also the Dutch Jews. Wherever they are, they attain the most important positions in society. Am I jealous of their position? Not at all. Jealousy makes you ugly. Furthermore, I have always wanted to be able to give something. I do envy them for their book, wished that the Torah laid upon the mantelpiece of our old home.”
– Kader Abdolah, Iranian-Dutch author. 1954 AD
Abdolah, K. (2001): En Israël dan?. In: Volkskrant. 10 december 2001. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“On day one in the Oval Office, I would make two phone calls. The first one would be to my good friend Bibi Netanyahu that we are going to stand with the State of Israel always. (…) Israel is a friend. Israel is an ally. Israel is a strategic and important and unique ally in the region.”
– Carly Fiorina née Sneed, American businesswoman and politician (GOP). 1954 AD
Preston, M. (2015): Carly Fiorina shines in first GOP debate. In: CNN Politics. August 7, 2015.
"In a region where dictators and family rule are the norm, Israel has stood out as a beacon for democracy – a country with an independent judicial system and strong rule of law where citizens are free to worship and speak as they wish. For those wanting better governance and more rights in the Middle East, they just have to look next door to Israel for an example of how things could be."
– Jerry Moran, Scots-Irish American Senator (GOP) from Kansas. 1954 AD
May 12, 2011 - Issue: Vol. 157, No. 65 — Daily Edition 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) - 1st Session.
“Israel is America’s strongest ally. Our two nations have an historic and strategic relationship that has
stood the test of time. In the face of near constant threat, the Israeli people have remained a strong
symbol of democracy in an area of the world struggling to find peace and an end to tyranny. “
– Tom Price, US Secretary of Health and Human Services (GOP). 1954 AD
"The six million Jews in Israel have their Jewish identity in common. But in every other respect, they come from every corner of the world, speaking different languages – incomprehensible to each other, coming from very different traditions. And yet that has been blended into a powerfully cohesive, committed country, with a solid central, uniting mission. (...) [During] the war, the 1948 war, which established the state of Israel (...), 650,000 Jews, the Yishuv, [were] besieged by 40 million – and they prevailed. And this survival of the Jewish state against these overwhelming odds, and its continued growth and prosperity – despite being surrounded by this sea of enemies, most of whom seek its complete destruction – is a phenomenon unmatched anywhere else in the world. (...) Now the survival of the Jewish state is a great achievement. But to survive and prosper so magnificently is extraordinary."
– Malcolm Turnbull, ScottishAustralian Minister for Communications. 1954 AD
“The Jewish and the Russian nations are bound by many historic and cultural ties. We are alike. Both of us suffered huge losses in the Second World War. Our positions coincide in many international issues, and this creates a wonderful basis for cooperation in all spheres. (...) We praise cooperation between Russia and Israel in all fields. We consider the development of contacts between our countries and between our peoples one of Russia’s priorities. Russia and Israel have common or close positions on international issues, we share views on moral issues.”
– Sergey Naryshkin, Chairman of Russian State Duma. 1954 AD
Israel-Russia. Reading between lines. In: Vestnik Kavkaza. 27 February 2014, 11:51 (UTC+3 MSK).
Russia, Israel praise relationship – Duma speaker. In: TASS. 26 February 2014, 12:48.
“As a black South African under Apartheid, I, among other things, could not vote, nor could I freely travel the landscape of South Africa. No person of color could hold high government office. The races were strictly segregated at sports arenas, public restrooms, schools and on public transportation. People of color had inferior hospitals, medical care and education. (…) In my numerous visits to Israel, I did not see any of the above. (…) Black, brown and white Jews and the Arab minority mingle freely in all public places, universities, restaurants, voting stations and public transportation. All people have the right to vote. The Arab minority has political parties, serves in the Israeli parliament (Knesset) and holds positions in government ministries, the police force and the security services. In hospitals, Palestinian patients lie in beds next to Israeli Jews, and doctors and nurses are as likely to be Israeli Arabs as Jews. (…) In my view, Israel is a model of democracy, inclusion and pluralism that can be emulated by many nations, particularly in the Middle East.”
– Kenneth Meshoe, South African (Xhosa) member of parliament (ACDP). 1954 AD
United with Israel (2013): South African MP: Israel is Not an Apartheid State. May 14, 2013.
“It is my understanding of historical responsibility to constantly and solidly stand
by Israel’s side; in amicable connection and in awareness of western values.”
– Reinhold Robbe, East Frisian/German member of the Bundestag (SPD). 1954 AD
Deutsch-Israelische Gesellschaft: Warum Israel?. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Several thousand years of history lead to an undeniable conclusion: the reestablishment of the State of Israel in modern times is a political reality with roots going back to the time of Abraham and Sarah. The argument for Israel’s legitimacy does not depend on what we say in speeches. It has been made by history. It has been made by the men and women who have made the desert green, by Nobel Prizes earned, by groundbreaking innovations and enviable institutions, by lives saved, democracy defended, peace made, battles won. There can be no denying the Jewish people’s legitimate right to live in peace and security on a homeland to which they have had a connection for thousands of years."
– Bob Menendez, Cuban-American Senator (Dem) from New Jersey. 1954 AD
Historic Speech by Sen. Menendez “Acknowledging Israel’s History”. June 16 2009.
"[Israel's] extraordinary strength has not yet been recognized, in being a democracy that also lives even in time of war, respects its minorities even in time of war. It produces democracy and liberty even in time of war. (...) All free men of the world, let's stop anti Semitism, stop anti-Zionism, promote the values and it would only be right to pronounce the strength of Israeli democracy, for Israel, not just one day a year, but 365 days a year and for the entire course of free and democratic people."
– Francesco Rutelli, Italian Minister of Environment. 1954 AD
Per la verità, per Israele. Manifestazione i Roma. 7 Ottobro 2010. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Israel’s democracy and its economic prosperity are all needed in our midst in the hope that we can learn self-empowerment. It is not hard to imagine our young people learning about empowerment when they watch Israeli democracy on their television sets, but it is hard to imagine they will be able to apply it living under an authoritarian system of government. That is the reason why Arabs send their own young people as suicide bombers instead of nurturing them to grow and become citizens of the world so that one day they can use their connections to help their people. (...) Israel is in 62 years of its existence the third country that has the most innovations and inventions and patents in the United States. The only two inventions Syria has under the Assad regime, made in the last 40 years, is a suicide bomber and car bombs! I am saving my Syria and I am saving my people, when I save Israel. (...) If Assad hates Israel, then it is my duty, as I oppose all his policies, to support Israel. That's why I am here. (...) So I ask you all, support democracies in the Middle East. Support Israel because you are indirectly supporting Syria and supporting the people of Syria."
– Farid Ghadry, Syrian-American president of the Syria Reform Party. 1954 AD
Ghadry, F. (2007): Why I Admire Israel. In: Reform Syria. May 5, 2007.
Per la verità, per Israele. Manifestazione i Roma. 7 Ottobro 2010.
“Israel has provided Jews from all over the world with the opportunity to reestablish and participate in a Jewish state and society in their ancient homeland, the Land of Israel, with the city of Jerusalem as its undivided capital. (…) The people of Israel have established a pluralistic democracy that includes the freedoms cherished by the people of the United States, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press, and government by the consent of the governed. Israel continues to serve as a shining model of democratic values by regularly holding free and fair elections, promoting the free exchange of ideas, and vigorously exercising in its Parliament, the Knesset, a democratic government that is fully representative of its citizens. Additionally, Israel has bravely defended itself from terrorist and military attacks repeatedly since independence.”
– Doug Lamborn, American Representative (GOP) from Colorado. 1954 AD
United States Congress (2011): Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress. May 13 2011. Page 7295.
“We in China admire you and your Jewish mind, which has brought many Nobel prizes. The free China was established in 1949, one year after Israel, but we view what you have achieved as a miracle. We are brothers, almost twins. We admire you for creating miracles for 62 years. (…) We believe in and support integrating the Israeli mind in the Chinese market in order to generate those same miracles you have created in this small country."
– Zhao Jun, Chinese Ambassador to Israel and Norway. 1954 AD
Petersburg, O. (2010): Chinese envoy. We admire Israel. In: YNet News. 09.28.10, 19:05.
“Israel is the heart of Europe, a heart situated outside of the body, which is our deepest ethical inspiration. (...) You ought to know that I am an apologist of Israel (but you knew that already). It makes a lot of mistakes, this country, but how would you behave if you were surrounded by mortal enemies with a retarded worldview... would your army be the only one in the world [like the IDF is] which warns the civilian population before attacking?"
– Benno Barnard, Dutch poet and translator. 1954 AD
Barnard, B. (2019): Benno Barnard over zijn blijvende steun aan Israël. In: Joods Actueel.be. 7 Januari 2019. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“If pushed to the sea’s edge, millions of Israelis would indeed flee to nations such as the United States wise enough to welcome those with their talents and intelligence. But millions of Israelis would remain, and in a last-ditch stand they would fight to the death. This happened almost 2,000 years ago atop Masada, the Dead Sea mountaintop fortress where Jews took their own lives rather than surrender to Roman soldiers. Today Israeli paratroopers and other soldiers go to this fortress and take an oath: ‘Masada shall not fall again.’ Psychologists describe the determination never to surrender of many Israelis as the ‘Masada Complex.’ ”
– Lowell Ponte, American author and reporter. 1946 AD
Click here for Page 4: Quotes from 1855 to 1970!