Israel Stands Tall

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Congratulations, Israel, on the 70th anniversary of your statehood in the Modern Era. May you attain your dream of living in peace with your neighbors, and may you continue to flourish.

Theodore Herzl's, "If you will it's no dream"
Lord Balfour's declaration gave it more steam
   Hebron's Massacre and Arab Riots
   White Paper's Rejection and Hitler's 'Zeig-Heil-It'
Nothing deterred us, no matter how extreme.

The War of Liberation in 1948
The Sinai Campaign -- 1956 was the date
The Six Day War in 1967: "The Temple Mount is Ours!"
The Yom Kippur War in '73 -- our conscience jarred.

Terrorism's ascent all through the years
The Munich Olympics brought us to tears
George Habash and his ilk, criminal masterminds
Sadam Hussein and Arafat, two of a kind

Disappointments galore:
Yamit, Oslo, Gush Katif, Gaza, and so many more--
To list them all's a thankless chore--
Hopes for peace dashed on each and every shore.

Yet in spite of it all, Israel stands tall
Her spirit strong, unwavering
Wrapped in a prayer shawl:
           
     In spite of it all
    Israel stands tall
   A Beacon of Hope
 Shalom to One and All 


Congratulations to the People of Israel on Her 70th Year of Statehood
                               in the Modern Era  
                           Israel Independence Day
                                 April 19, 2018

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Susan Gentry

Date: 4/21/2018 3:09:00 PM

An informative tribute!! I knew it was the 70th anniversary and a lot less of their history, some of the struggles. The current force to rewrite history is also confusing when not knowing facts. Sometimes it seems easier to remain in the dark... which is most dangerous thing one can do. Well-written. Got me thinking and more interested.

Gershon Wolf
Date: 4/21/2018 10:38:00 PM

OK! Glad to hear of your interest. May I recommend an outstanding, short (220 pgs) book which shines a bright light on the character of the modern state of Israel? It's titled, "No Room for Small Dreams," by Shimon Peres, former Prime Minister, innovator, and change agent, who died in 2016. I couldn't put it down. Try it. :) gw

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 4/19/2018 11:42:00 PM

Powerful and enlightening dedication my friend. I know very little about Israel, thank you for bestowing so much fact and heart. Mo background, I was a goy in the kitchen at a B'Nai B'rith summer camp for three years as a teen, a most positive formative experience. I was privy to feeling however distant and faint, and an outsider, the pulse of Israel. Shalom x

Gershon Wolf
Date: 4/20/2018 6:12:00 PM

Hey, Maureen! Thanks for commenting on this one. I didn't know if anybody would be brave enough to say anything about such a poem in such times...Your comment has motivated me to write and post---true daring here!---a poem about what the term 'goy' really means. I think you'll be quite pleasantly surprised. Check it out...coming soon. Thank you again, and Best Wishes Always, Gershon