With all its being, the Labor Party supports Israel as a Jewish

Listen, O children of the future, for the words of Isaac Herzog carry the weight of a profound legacy, one forged in the fires of struggle, vision, and the unyielding belief in the right of a people to govern themselves. He speaks with clarity, saying, "With all its being, the Labor Party supports Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Labor built the state, and its leaders formulated the Declaration of Independence, the foundational document that anchors Israel as a Jewish state." These words, simple yet powerful, remind us of the deep historical roots that ground Israel's existence, and the eternal struggle to create a homeland where identity, freedom, and justice can flourish.

The story of Israel’s birth is one of incredible courage, sacrifice, and vision. In the ancient world, nations were often built not just through the force of arms, but through the conviction of a people determined to preserve their identity and their right to self-determination. The Jews—a people scattered across the world for centuries—held tightly to the promise of a homeland, even in the face of persecution and hardship. It is said that the ancient Israelites, who wandered the desert for forty years, never lost sight of the promise of the land of Israel, a land where they could live freely as a people, united by their faith, their culture, and their heritage.

Herzog’s words call us to reflect on the enduring vision of the Labor Party, which was instrumental in the establishment of Israel. It was Labor's leaders who, with wisdom and foresight, crafted the Declaration of Independence in 1948, a document that laid the foundation for Israel as both a Jewish state and a democratic one. Just as the Greeks formulated their own Democratic Constitution in the heart of Athens, allowing their people to participate in governance and create a society based on freedom and law, so too did the leaders of the Labor Party understand that the creation of a Jewish state required both a deep connection to history and a commitment to the values of justice and equality.

The Declaration of Independence itself is a beacon of hope, a declaration not just of a people’s right to exist, but of their right to shape their future on their own terms. Much like the Magna Carta, the great English document that secured the rights of the people against the tyranny of the crown, the Declaration of Independence for Israel is a testament to the will of a people to preserve their identity and ensure their freedom in the face of a turbulent and often hostile world. It anchors Israel as a Jewish state, but it also lays down the principles of democracy, equality, and justice that would guide the nation's growth, values that resonate through the ages.

Consider, O children, the story of the Maccabees, who fought valiantly to preserve the Jewish faith and independence in the face of overwhelming odds. They, like the founders of Israel, understood that the struggle for self-determination is never an easy one, but one that is worth fighting for. The Maccabees reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem, establishing a brief but powerful period of Jewish sovereignty. Their victory was not just military, but symbolic—their triumph demonstrated the power of a people determined to retain their identity and freedom against external forces that sought to erase them.

The lesson from Herzog's words is profound and enduring. Labor’s vision for Israel was not only about creating a physical homeland, but about establishing a place where the Jewish people could live with dignity, freedom, and the right to self-govern. In our own lives, we must recognize the importance of identity—the strength that comes from knowing who we are and where we come from. But we must also understand that independence is not just a political goal; it is a way of life, a commitment to freedom, justice, and the preservation of what is good and true.

Take this wisdom into your own lives, O children, for the creation of Israel and the founding principles of the Labor Party remind us that independence is not a fleeting desire, but a vision that requires both commitment and sacrifice. Just as the Labor Party and the leaders who crafted the Declaration of Independence for Israel did not merely create a state, but a society founded on the principles of freedom, so too must you shape your own future based on the values that matter most: identity, justice, and the freedom to determine your own path. Stand firm in your beliefs, honor the legacy of those who fought for independence, and know that the greatest battles are not always fought with swords, but with the courage to stand for what is right.