World Jewish News

Britain and the US offer Israel best wishes on Independence Day as EU remains silent

The heads of all three major EU institutions remained noticeably silent Tuesday, as Israel’s key allies rushed to offer their best wishes for Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) on the 65th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration which established the Jewish State.
No statement was forthcoming from either EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, EU Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso or European Parliament President Martin Schulz, as western tributes were led by US President Barack Obama, who himself was responding to domestic tragedy in the immediate aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, and British Foreign Secretary William Hague, on the eve of late former British Premier Lady Thatcher’s ceremonial funeral.
Extending the UK’s “best wishes” of behalf of his government, Hague reiterated that “the UK and Israel share a strong friendship that is anchored in democratic values ad many common interests”. “Our support for Israel and Israel’s security remains unshakeable,” he added, in a gesture of solidarity, which was quickly replicated by Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrival in London to attend Lady Thatcher’s funeral.
Expressing his continued commitment “to working with Israelis and Palestinians to achieving urgent progress on a two-state solution, and to secure a future for both peoples at peace in the region,” Hague concluded: “As the people of Israel celebrate their 65th Independence Day, we look forward to continuing our friendship with Israel and building on the existing partnership between our countries in science, technology, security, and education.”
In his own official statement, Obama offered his wishes to the Israeli people for “a joyous Independence Day”, having last month conducted a highly successful state visit to the Jewish State, his first since entering office in 2008. Invoking his rhetoric during the trip, he reiterated that “our two nations stand together because it makes our countries safer, stronger and more prosperous and it makes the world a better place”.
Recalling the end of the British Mandate in Palestine, he continued: “On this date 65 years ago, the Jewish people realised their dream of the ages—to be masters of their fate in their own sovereign state. From that moment on, a free and independent Israel has had no greater friend and ally than the United States.”
Paying tribute to the founding father of Zionism and Israel, Theodor Herzl, who Obama honoured by laying a wreath on his grave at Mount Herzl, he paraphrased the late statesman in speaking of the realised goal of his vision in the modern State of Israel, saying “if you will it, it is no dream”, as he concluded by stressing his hopes “to realise the dreams of our people to live in security and peace”.
The US leader marked his visit to Mount Herzl by writing a message in the guest book, saying: "It is humbling and inspiring to visit and remember the visionary who began the remarkable establishment of the State of Israel. May our two countries possess the same vision and will to secure peace and prosperity for future generations."

by: Shari Ryness

EJP