Americans
and Israelis alike, on the 4th of July, the American people celebrate their independence. They celebrate the wondrous gift of liberty which they so rightly cherish.
But America’s independence is something all free nations can and should celebrate. Because all free nations are indebted to the United States.
Time after time, the United States has been called on to defend liberty around the globe. And time after time, the United States has met this enormous responsibility.
Ambassador Cunningham said that the 20th century was an American century – the American century, that's right. But only the half-century – the second half-century America was the predominant power in the world. Our tragedy – the tragedy of the world and specifically the tragedy of the Jewish people – is that it did not dominate the first half of the twentieth century. And what a difference the rise of America has made in rolling back totalitarian forces and standing up for liberty. And now we're at the first half of the twenty-first century and the United States is still entrusted with the difficult task of defending freedom and of defending peace. American power still ultimately keeps the enemies of freedom at bay.
And whether the United States is welcoming the world’s downtrodden to its shores under that fantastic poem of Emma Lazarus, an American and a proto-Zionist, on the Statue of Liberty, whether it is welcoming the downtrodden of the world to its shores or inspiring those who live under tyranny in distant lands, the United States still echoes and holds true to the words, the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln about a century and a half ago – he said the United States is the last, best hope on earth. That's what Lincoln said. And the intervening century and a half has confirmed that analysis.
The Jewish state, in particular, owes a great debt of gratitude to America. For decades, the United States has helped Israel meet the enormous challenges it confronts. It has helped us bear the heavy burden of our defense. It has helped us feel secure enough to take risks for peace.
The Jewish State in particular owes a great debt of appreciation and gratitude to the United States. For decades, the United States has helped Israel meet the enormous challenges we face. It has helped us bear the heavy burdens if our defense. It has helped us feel secure enough to take risks for peace. It has helped us negotiate that peace and then make practical arrangements to cement it on the ground. And Israel, in turn, has proved to be America's steadfast ally – a friend and an ally. We fight common enemies. We uphold common values deeply shared by our peoples, by our societies.