As we approach Israel’s 66th birthday, we celebrate the commitment from its inception to the rule of law, democracy and tolerance. We are profoundly concerned by the series of acts of vandalism, desecration and violence by a group motivated by extremist ideologies. We welcome the condemnation by the Prime Minister and many government officials and the recognition that there is no justification for any act in violation of the law. Neither the age, religion, nor motivation of those carrying out assaults are relevant to the need for swift and serious action by law enforcement to bring them to justice. Whether the target is a mosque, a church, a synagogue, soldiers or private property, it cannot be tolerated and we urge that the resources necessary be allocated to apprehend those reprehensive. We know that this is a very small segment of the population and that the people of Israel overwhelmingly reject and denounce their actions. However, these acts provide fodder for those who seek to denigrate and delegitimize the State of Israel.
In commemoration of Israel’s 66th birthday, we are reproducing Israel’s Declaration of Independence in the New York Times and USA Today newspapers, made possible by a grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. It serves to renew the commitment to the principles and values enunciated in that document that has guided Israel’s governments from Israel’s inception.
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