on January , 2009, the U.S House of Representatives passed House-Resolution "Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza", and expressing "vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders".

This resolution passed with an overwhelming majority, a symbol of the strong popular support Israel has always enjoyed in America. The relationship between the west's first true democracy and the Middle East's only one has long been characterized by friendship and mutual support.

Of course, Operation Cast Lead, for which house 34 declared support, was only the latest in a series of battles for Israel's safety. Israel's most dire moment came during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, during which enemy forces attacked on the holiest day of the Jewish calender. If not for an airlift of supplies approved by the Nixon administration, the Jewish state might have been cut in two by Egyptian forces that year. This war, much like the earlier Six Day War, was fought in a Cold War context - with America generally supporting the Jewish democracy, and the Soviet Union generally supporting its Arab enemies. The latter were armed with MIG airplanes and various other Soviet hardware, including the venerable T-34 tank. Captured Syrian T-34's may still be seen at an Israeli war museum, Batey ha-Osef in Tel Aviv.

Yom Hzikaron is beyond us... TOMORROW NYC will be celebrating Israeli Independence Day... משואה לתקומה they say in Hebrew ... lots of good celebrations are ahead of us! Here is one: Dor Chadash Yom Ha'Atzmaut. Chag Sameach to all!

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