Editorial

‘Right is on our side’

May 08, 2008

On May 14, 1948, almost exactly 60 years ago this week, The Jewish News of Newark welcomed the newborn State of Israel. Some excerpts from the editorial printed on that date:

Liberty-loving people all over the world look forward to the official birth of the only democratic and progressive state in the Middle East.

Based on concepts of justice, freedom, and equality of opportunity, the Jewish state — the first in more than 2,000 years — promises to give all its inhabitants — Jew and Arab alike — the benefits of citizenship in a country founded on principles of democracy….

The United Nations, which despite every assault made upon it, remains virtually the only hope of a world which fervently prays for an end to blood-letting, owes current-day civilization as well as posterity the obligation of according the new state recognition.

A voice of clarity will thereby be added to what now, unfortunately, is only too often a Babel.

A voice of peace will be added to the conclaves, where, unfortunately, the occasional pounding of the mailed fist is heard.

A voice of progress will sound in meetings attended by too many highly vocal but benighted representatives of feudal lands.

A courageous force will be added to an assemblage suffering from a plethora of “satellites,” “followers,” and the unresolved.

And, we might well add: “Out of Zion will come forth the Law; And the Word of God out of Jerusalem.”

A special obligation devolves upon the United States, to all of us here, Administration and citizenry, Jew and Christian, to support fully this bright star in the international firmament….

More than any other nation on earth, this country which fought a war of liberation in order to achieve independence, which fought a Civil War on behalf of national integrity, which within one generation fought two World Wars against unbridled, barbaric militarism, should take the fledgling state to its heart.

With utter justification the Jewish state declares:

“Right is on our side. With us are the hopes of the past generations of our people. With us is the conscience of the world. With us are deposited the testament of the millions of our martyred dead and the resolute will to live of the millions who have survived. The sanctity of our martyrs and heroes rests upon us and the God of our fathers will help us.”

To that we fervently say: Amen!