On the occasion of Israel’s 67’s birthday, the Jerusalem Channel dedicates Psalm 67 to all the people of Israel:
1 God be merciful to us and bless us,
And cause His face to shine upon us, Selah
2 That Your way may be known on earth,
Your saving health among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
4 Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!
For You shall judge the people righteously,
And govern the nations on earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
6 Then the earth shall yield her increase;
God, our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us,
And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.
“Israel’s Independence Day is an occasion for genuine celebration,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in his Independence Day 2015 greeting. “Jews celebrate the rebirth of our national freedom in our historic homeland, the Land of Israel.
“We celebrate that the Jewish people are no longer stateless and powerless, but are once again masters of our own fate.
“We celebrate the fact that Jews everywhere enjoy a right they were denied for so many centuries, the right to make aliya and be part of the modern State of Israel. . .
“We have integrated into our society immigrants from all four corners of the earth.
“We have successfully defended our freedom against attacks by hostile neighbors.
“We have literally made the desert bloom, building a vibrant and dynamic hi-tech economy.
“We have built a robust and healthy democracy, where freedom is sacrosanct and human rights enshrined in our laws for all.
“We have built a society in which all Israel’s citizens are equal under the law, Arab and Jew alike.
“We have witnessed a real renaissance in our national culture.
“We take pride in Israel’s achievements.”
ISRAELI ARABS: Celebrate or Catastrophe?
JAFFA, Israel (AP) — When 14 Israelis light torches in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country at Israel’s splashy Independence Day ceremony on Thursday, Arab newscaster Lucy Aharish will stride across the stage in an act of defiance.
The 34-year-old journalist who believes Israel should remain the Jewish state will be challenging some of her Arab compatriots who commemorate Israel’s independence day as “the catastrophe,” when many Arabs were uprooted from their homes in the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s founding. She also will be thumbing her nose at some Jews who believe she doesn’t deserve the honour. Read more.
The Israeli priest from Nazareth, Father Gabriel Naddaf, sent Independence Day greetings to Israel with the following statements on is official Facebook page:
“As Christians, we need to be ever thankful that we live in democratic Israel, the Jewish country that gives all of its citizens freedom, regardless of race, religion or faction. We should not be afraid of self-serving voices in the Arab sector. Many are hypocrites, simply because they don’t want Israel to be different and they certainly do not want to live anywhere else. These cowards would not dare to leave Israel and do not even extend a helping hand to their brothers across the border.
“Christians have always had a part in Zionism and the establishment of Israel,” Father Gabriel added.
REASON TO REJOICE (via aish.com):
Israel represents the greatest national success story of all time.
The Bible quotes Balaam describing the Jews as “a people that dwells alone and is not counted among the nations.” Alas, that aptly describes the status of the Jewish state on the 67th anniversary of its rebirth. Yet despite enormous challenges confronting us, we have every reason to celebrate.
Yes, Israel is the only country in the world whose right to exist and defend itself is continuously challenged. We have neighbors who still dream of driving us into the sea; we face an ongoing global tsunami of viral anti-Semitism; the world judges us by double standards; Israel is an oasis in a region in which primitive barbarism reigns as hundreds of thousands of people are butchered as a matter of routine. READ MORE.
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