Independence Day in Israel. Happy Yom Ha'atzmaut.

 Independence Day in Israel. Happy Yom Ha'atzmaut.

Today in 1948, Israel celebrated their Independence, the symbolic date in the yearly calendar when Jews and Israelis from around the world could finally breathe again, freed finally from the shackles of history and Biblical pain, discomfort. captivity and suffering. On this day 76 years ago to the day, Israel declared its autonomy, its fervent belief that one nation could make its way purposefully in the world without being hounded and restrained from neighbouring countries who just wanted Israel to be denied any modicum of existence, freedom, livelihood, normality and happiness.

Today is Yom Ha'atazmaut aka Independence Day marks a day of national celebrations, a rejoicing in the precious and beautiful gifts of life, extolling the virtues of community, religious tolerance, positive inclusivity and, above all, enduring love for our fellow man, woman and child. For these were the qualities Israel have always held dear, the natural quest and striving for peace, reconciliation and just being at one with each other. We know we have the capacity to reach out and extend the hand of friendship and understanding, to look out for our families, to cherish them with all our heart and just get on with each other.

From the empty wastelands of 1948, there emerged one of the most astonishing countries most of us had ever seen. In the beginning there was nothing, just small clusters of primitive buildings and untapped potential, golden nuggets of promise and an architectural magnificence that would take the breath away. Where before there was nothing, now there would be something tangible, a stunning example of the possible which had grown from the depths of the impossible.

In Israel, this is well and truly Independence Day where the children of the world run around Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Jaffa, Petah Tikva and Eilat as if released from the devastating burdens of war, death, destruction and agonising alienation. We live in a world that cares passionately about Israel but has no idea how to solve this calamitous, ongoing crisis. We cry and weep over death and countless examples of broken families and hearts, the gruesome and bloodthirsty sight of fallen soldiers and despair of Hamas, a vile terrorist network who continue to inflict the most barbaric brutality on the loveliest country of Israel. 

Decades of hatred, vilification, persecution, purgatory and grief have settled on the Middle East for seemingly ages but Israel continues to be seen as the evil villains of the piece. But for how much longer? This should be a day for dancing in the streets, ecstatic parties and street festivals, gathering together to acknowledge a day that should be treasured. Instead, Israel finds itself horribly and psychologically scarred, traumatised and tortured with doubt and fear, longing to just going about their everyday lives without being subjected to the unbearable sound of thumping bombs and explosions, deadly rockets falling unforgivably on the sweet land of honey, Eretz Israel.

We love Israel and always have done so. We simply want the children of the world to be granted the opportunity to just cast aside their inhibitions, playing simply with their inflatable toys and games, running into seas with gleeful relish, playing happily on thick sandy beaches, enjoying those moments of togetherness and harmony and planning for their future positively. You can still see Tel Aviv beach from many years ago overflowing with people from all over the world, sunbathing on comforting towels and tanning their faces for hour upon hour. 

Then there were what now seem those traditional games of beach tennis. Here we had swarthy bodies flinging themselves joyfully at a small black ball and the smallest wooden bat. Throughout another sun kissed summer day, kids and adults would bat the ball to each other just for the sheer fun of it all.  The distinctive crack of ball and bat would be so engaging that you could quite easily have spent all day just listening to this magical sound. It would be the permanent soundtrack of Israel. 

But then you and your family would step onto a sand that was so hot that it just felt too good to be true. And directly outside the back of the hotel there were those monkey bars which would be extensively used by everybody. On every morning without fail you would find yourself stunned by an elderly Israeli gentleman who must have been well into his 80s. Bare chested and nut brown, he would cling onto the bars and proceed to exercise almost constantly for the best part of an hour. He would lift up his whole body, pulling himself up vigorously before going through what looked like the most arduous routine.

Later on in the morning the number of bodies would multiply in their thousands, huge crowds of lively youngsters, teenagers and families soaking up the delights of Independence Day. You would hear Israeli music in the market squares, bustling shopping centres full of life and vitality. Where before there was anguish and uncertainty now there are gleaming smiles and unrestrained enjoyment. Today Israel will do its utmost to blot out the events around them, the people who now remain firmly convinced that Israel are the perpetrators of the crime, the ones who have inflicted so much irreparable damage.

But then there are those who remember the savage atrocities of last October 7th when over a thousand innocent Israelis were ruthlessly murdered, beheaded, condemned to the cruellest deaths and persecuted heartlessly just because they were Jewish. We though looked on at the torturing and raping of babies and the disgraceful killing of Israelis who were killed on Simchat Torah with no explanations or remorse. They went to a music festival and never came back. Israel will make a recovery and it will find justice and they will do so with a steely resilience that has now characterised the nation's DNA. Never underestimate Israel since Independence Day today is just the start of something much better, stronger, fitter and healthier. Our thoughts will of course be with Israel. We Stand By Israel, We Love Israel and We Will Always Believe in Israel. Happy Yom Ha'atzmaut everybody.