On midnight, MAY 14, 1948, the State of Israel came into being and was immediately recognized by the United States and the Soviet Union.
A homeland for the thousands of Jews who were persecuted and displaced during World War II, Israel was attacked the next day by the Transjordanian Army, the Arab Legion, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.
Against all odds, Israel survived.
Against all odds, Israel survived.
The Armistice between Israel and her enemies was negotiated by Ralph Bunche, the first African American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
In 1947, Ralph Bunche set up a meeting between two members of UNSCOP and Menachem Begin, the leader of the Irgun Jewish underground.
As he was leaving Begin's hideout, Ralph Bunche told the future Israeli Prime Minister:
"I can understand you. I am also a member of a persecuted minority."
Richard Crossman of Britain asked Bunche if his exposure to the Jews had made him anti-Semitic "yet."
Ralph Bunche answered:
"That would be impossible ... I know the flavor of racial prejudice and racial persecution. A wise Negro can never be an anti-Semite."
President Harry S Truman sent a telegram to the President of Israel, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of the Provisional Council of State, Tel Aviv, October 2, 1948:
"On this your first New Year's Eve as President of the Provisional Council of the State of Israel I send you warm personal greetings and congratulations.
May the New Year bring peace to Israel and to its citizens the opportunity to dedicate themselves in tranquility to furthering the prosperity of their country."
[Editor's comment: We are given this invitation to pray for Jerusalem and the people of Israel. God blesses those who bless Israel.
Psalm 122:6-9
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels."
8 For the sake of my brothers and friends,
I will say, "Peace be within you."
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
NIV
In 1947, Ralph Bunche set up a meeting between two members of UNSCOP and Menachem Begin, the leader of the Irgun Jewish underground.
As he was leaving Begin's hideout, Ralph Bunche told the future Israeli Prime Minister:
"I can understand you. I am also a member of a persecuted minority."
Richard Crossman of Britain asked Bunche if his exposure to the Jews had made him anti-Semitic "yet."
Ralph Bunche answered:
"That would be impossible ... I know the flavor of racial prejudice and racial persecution. A wise Negro can never be an anti-Semite."
President Harry S Truman sent a telegram to the President of Israel, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of the Provisional Council of State, Tel Aviv, October 2, 1948:
"On this your first New Year's Eve as President of the Provisional Council of the State of Israel I send you warm personal greetings and congratulations.
May the New Year bring peace to Israel and to its citizens the opportunity to dedicate themselves in tranquility to furthering the prosperity of their country."
[Editor's comment: We are given this invitation to pray for Jerusalem and the people of Israel. God blesses those who bless Israel.
Psalm 122:6-9
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels."
8 For the sake of my brothers and friends,
I will say, "Peace be within you."
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
NIV