What an honor and a privilege it was to be present as an honorary member of the official U.S. delegation at the Recognition and Gala hosted by Israeli President Shimon Peres Wednesday night here in Jerusalem!
It was an inspiring event. There were speeches by Israeli Prime Minister Olmert, as well as by President Peres and President George W. Bush—all short and to the point.
The consistent theme echoed by each of the speakers, and throughout the event, was the special relationship between Israel and the United States, as well as the special bond between their nations’ citizens. Much was rightly made of President Harry Truman’s decision to recognize the new state of Israel 11 minutes after it was declared an independent nation in 1948. The fact that the U.S. was the first country to recognize Israel diplomatically was crucial to Israel’s survival, offering invaluable support to the young nation. President Truman made this decision, it was noted, in the face of intense opposition from members of his own Cabinet.
During the celebration, video presentations used historic footage from Israel’s tumultuous modern history to remind all present of the terrible dangers these courageous people have faced. And while the news of the terrible rocket attack on innocent citizens that very day was mentioned, these resilient people plunged ahead with characteristic determination in celebrating their 60th birthday with their best friend—the United States.
My whole life I have heard about the “special relationship” between America and Great Britain—and it is special for historic reasons—a common language (sort of) and a common heritage up to 1776. However, the relationship between America and Great Britain has been, at least in my lifetime, somewhat one-sided, with America’s love and appreciation for Great Britain being greater than the British rendered to us in return.
Not so with the Israelis. It was clear for all with eyes to see and ears to hear that the Israelis love us at least as much as we love them—if not more.
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Diana Butler Bass is a religion scholar and author of Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith. She blogs at 
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