ERETZ ISRAEL

Today is Israel's 66th Independence Day. On this day, we celebrate the miracle that is Israel, which exists and flourishes against all odds and only by the grace of G-d. We celebrate Israel's democracy, in which all citizens enjoy full civil rights regardless of their faith or ethnicity. Arab citizens of Israel serve as members of Israel's Parliament, judges on Israel's courts (including the Supreme Court), diplomats in Israel's Foreign Service and officers in Israel's armed forces. We celebrate that all of Israel's citizens enjoy full freedom of religion. The freest Christians and Muslims in the Middle East are the Christian and Muslim citizens of the Jewish state of Israel. While Christians throughout the Arab world are being bombed, shot and decapitated, the Christian population of Israel can worship in complete safety. While Christian populations throughout the Arab world are plummeting, the Christian population of Israel is steadily growing. We celebrate that Israel is on the forefront of developing technology that improves our lives and our world. It is simply incredible that in 66 short years Israelis have won more Noble Prizes than the total sum of all Nobel Prizes won by Muslim nations. We celebrate that Israel is living Isaiah 49:6 by being a "light unto the nations" as a first responder to natural catastrophes and human suffering around the world. As we celebrate Israel, let us pray that she will continue to survive and thrive. And let us dedicate ourselves to action in support of our prayers.