In the News

By Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Israel's national anthem, "Hatikvah" (The Hope), portrays an ancient dream for a modern land: "as long as the Jewish spirit is yearning deep in the heart… then our hope – the two-thousand year old hope – will not be lost." This powerful pairing of history and hope marks Israel's journey through centuries of exile to a vibrant, flourishing democracy in the Middle East.

I have recently returned from Israel where I had the great privilege to join President Obama on his trip to the Jewish State. This extraordinary journey commemorated and celebrated Israel's history and hope, and the special relationship our two nations have always shared.

From the moment President Truman became the first leader to officially recognize Israel only minutes after independence, to Prime Minister Netanyahu's warm welcome of President Obama, our two nations have been tied by bonds of friendship and cooperation that cannot be severed. Over decades of diplomatic, military, and economic cooperation, we have stood by Israel's side, to ensure a strong and secure Jewish State. But we cannot forget the dark moments in history, before and during the struggle for an independent Israel.

Standing in Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust Memorial, President Obama paid tribute to the memory of the Six Million who perished in the Holocaust: "Here, on your ancient land, let it be said for all the world to hear: The State of Israel does not exist because of the Holocaust. But with the survival of a strong Jewish State of Israel, such a Holocaust will never happen again."

These atrocities are never far from our minds, as Israel's enemies and detractors continue to attack the Jewish State. That is a major reason why the United States continues to bolster the safety and security of our major strategic ally and friend. The Obama Administration has increased that support through record-breaking joint military exercises, billions in foreign aid, and a series of increasingly-tough sanctions to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. In these measures and President Obama's words, America's message to Israel is clear: "Atem lo lavad… you are not alone."

With this powerful backdrop, rooted in difficult history, President Obama addressed 1,000 young Israelis in a public speech at the Jerusalem Convention Center. Sharing his personal connection to the Israeli story, President Obama touched on Israel's origins and the long journey of the Jewish people to achieve their historic homeland and our shared vision for a just and lasting peace in the region.

Meaningful change like expanded regional security, great strides in technological innovation, and the unscripted enthusiasm of young Israelis for a two state solution, can only come about if we welcome it. I will never forget the overwhelming standing ovation the President received when he spoke about two states – one Jewish, one Palestinian – living side by side in peace. As realists, we are well aware of the challenges standing in our way, but we must never give up hope.

It is clear progress can happen with pragmatic optimism. It is in this spirit that President Obama brokered a call between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, resolving several years of escalating tensions between Israel and Turkey. Full diplomatic relations are now being restored between these two vital regional allies.

Even though progress is difficult, we must continue to work hard to get there together because the status quo is not sustainable in this ever-evolving region. We must draw on the unbreakable bond between our leaders, the enthusiasm from the Israeli public, and the nachas we felt as a man named Barack Hussein Obama received the Israeli Presidential Medal of Distinction. Together, we strive for the pluralism, justice, human rights, and security that will continue to unite our two countries.

In Jerusalem, President Obama asked Israelis to "look to the future that you want for your own children – a future in which a Jewish, democratic, vibrant state is protected and accepted for this time and for all time." It is now incumbent upon us to take the lessons of Israel's history, and the hope – hatikvah – required to pursue a future of security, opportunity, and peace.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a Democratic Congresswoman from Dist. 23.