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ntry and the neighboring Arab states, for the advancement and development of the
entire Middle East. However, up until recent times these appeals have fallen on deaf ears;
instead, the Arabs have risen up against us to destroy us. Even after the recent turning point
in our relations with Egypt, the desire and aspiration of the other Arab states and terrorist
organizations remain the same: to destroy the Jewish state and establish a Palestinian Arab
state in its stead and upon its ruins, in the entire territory of the Land of Israel.
Their hostility and hatred towards our state, and resistance to its very existence,
continue to direct their actions and strategy to this very day.
C ontacts with the Jewish People
F inally, the Scroll of Independence addresses the Jewish People throughout the Diaspora
in a heartfelt appeal "to rally round the Jews of Eretz-Israel in the tasks of immigration
and building and to stand by them in the great struggle for the realization of the age-old
dream - the redemption of Israel." If this appeal too, for immigration and building, was
not acceded to in sufficient measure – after all, following the mass immigration of the first
years of the state, ending the Diaspora communities in the Arab countries, immigration
rates fell – World Jewry was, is, and unquestionably will remain the state's most loyal and
devoted friend. Diaspora Jewry has provided, and continues to provide, material assistance
for its building; political and moral support in its political struggles; and monetary and
human resources in times of war and emergency.
An unforeseen reality
In summary, we may say that in general – with the notable exception of relations with
Israel's Arabs and with the Arab countries – the Scroll of Independence has stood the test
of the plans, beliefs and foundations set down in it.
The founders who formulated the Scroll of Independence did not address in any form
such issues as proper human relations, fairness, and mutual respect of citizens towards
each other and towards state authorities. Apparently, they viewed the Israeli society of
the future in the positive, laboring, pioneering spirit of the Yishuv in its early years, if not
as even better. They viewed the nation living in the land as a Chosen People, possessing
tremendous cultural assets and giving of its light to the nations of the world. They certainly
never anticipated the high levels of distress, misery and widespread crime that plague the
country just three decades after its establishment, having their impact mainly on the lives
of the younger generation and the youth. They certainly never imagined the materialism
and pursuit of easy money - even through illegal means - that a sizeable portion of the
population in Israel is involved in. We may also presume that they did not have in mind
the great measure of disrespect towards the laws of the state that they had established,
The Declaration at a Distance 247
entire Middle East. However, up until recent times these appeals have fallen on deaf ears;
instead, the Arabs have risen up against us to destroy us. Even after the recent turning point
in our relations with Egypt, the desire and aspiration of the other Arab states and terrorist
organizations remain the same: to destroy the Jewish state and establish a Palestinian Arab
state in its stead and upon its ruins, in the entire territory of the Land of Israel.
Their hostility and hatred towards our state, and resistance to its very existence,
continue to direct their actions and strategy to this very day.
C ontacts with the Jewish People
F inally, the Scroll of Independence addresses the Jewish People throughout the Diaspora
in a heartfelt appeal "to rally round the Jews of Eretz-Israel in the tasks of immigration
and building and to stand by them in the great struggle for the realization of the age-old
dream - the redemption of Israel." If this appeal too, for immigration and building, was
not acceded to in sufficient measure – after all, following the mass immigration of the first
years of the state, ending the Diaspora communities in the Arab countries, immigration
rates fell – World Jewry was, is, and unquestionably will remain the state's most loyal and
devoted friend. Diaspora Jewry has provided, and continues to provide, material assistance
for its building; political and moral support in its political struggles; and monetary and
human resources in times of war and emergency.
An unforeseen reality
In summary, we may say that in general – with the notable exception of relations with
Israel's Arabs and with the Arab countries – the Scroll of Independence has stood the test
of the plans, beliefs and foundations set down in it.
The founders who formulated the Scroll of Independence did not address in any form
such issues as proper human relations, fairness, and mutual respect of citizens towards
each other and towards state authorities. Apparently, they viewed the Israeli society of
the future in the positive, laboring, pioneering spirit of the Yishuv in its early years, if not
as even better. They viewed the nation living in the land as a Chosen People, possessing
tremendous cultural assets and giving of its light to the nations of the world. They certainly
never anticipated the high levels of distress, misery and widespread crime that plague the
country just three decades after its establishment, having their impact mainly on the lives
of the younger generation and the youth. They certainly never imagined the materialism
and pursuit of easy money - even through illegal means - that a sizeable portion of the
population in Israel is involved in. We may also presume that they did not have in mind
the great measure of disrespect towards the laws of the state that they had established,
The Declaration at a Distance 247
