“Witness to the upheaval in Lebanon and to violent changes in the governments of a variety of neighboring countries Israel can take pride in its persistence as the single viable democratic country in the entire Middle East,” declared Mrs. Charlotte Jacobson, chairman of the World Zionist Organization-American Section, in her message celebrating the 28th anniversary of Israel’s independence.
In its 28 years, Israel has withstood Arab aggression in five wars and not only emerged victorious but with her democratic institutions and liberties intact, Mrs. Jacobson observed. Despite unceasing hostility of her neighbors and their Communist and Third World friends and oil-hungry countries at the United Nations, and despite the problems facing her in other areas, “Israel maintained her commitment to democratic principles by not only going ahead with the scheduled elections on the West Bank but by insisting on extending the franchise to the Arab women there as well, giving them the vote for the first time in their history,” Mrs. Jacobson said.
American Jews, she added, rejoice in Israel’s accomplishments “even while we sorrow over the fact that the Middle East is still in turmoil and blood continues to flow in the streets of Lebanon, while the Christian world, unbelievably, still looks on in silence.”
Noting that American Jews “are fully aware of the difficulties Israel faces in the year and years ahead,” Mrs. Jacobson declared: “Now, more than ever, we reaffirm our support of Israel and pledge ourselves to do the utmost to ensure her security and stability.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
