“If you will it, it is no dream.” With these words Theodor Herzl concluded his novel “Old-New Land” in 1906.  Indeed, 42 years later it was no longer only a dream.  Millions of Jews once again had a homeland. It’s a uniqueness in world history, for no other people that were sent for extinct were able to reassert its sovereignty and its national life.  For 2000 years, the Jewish people were yearning to return to its homeland.  It was because of this dream and this history that they willed the dream to be a reality, “If you will it, it is no dream.”

Once the Jewish people established their new state, they made the dessert bloom.  It was not only a resurrection of a nation but also of its land.  It was because of the strong belief of “If you will it, it is no dream.”

Since the first hours of Israel’s national revival of its land, and until this very day, the Jewish people were forced to defend its land and its people; to fight the ones who denied its very existence and right of self-determination.  Israel found itself out-numbered by its enemies.  The Jewish people paid a high price for its independence, but succeed in turning back the incoming forces because they believed that: “If you will it, it is no dream.”

From a scarce economy based on agriculture, Israel became one of the strongest economies in the world.  Our inventions and innovations are found everywhere – from cell phones and solar panels to medications and research.  We managed to grown and succeed because we believe that: “If you will it, it is no dream.”

Since Israel’s independence, it has been a vibrant democracy, where every citizen, regardless of color, religion or gender, has the right to vote and to be elected. Israeli newspapers are filled with discussion of Israeli politics and you can hear arguments regarding policy at every street corner, in every cab, and at every marketplace.

Israel is a place where gay couples walk hand-in-hand along the shores of Tel Aviv and Hassidim dance at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. It is the place where Muslim women place a ballot to elect new municipal leaders and members of the Knesset because all citizens of Israel believes that: “If you will it, it is no dream.”

For 62 years, Israel has extended its hand for peace to all its Arab neighbors. Some, like Egypt and Jordan, have taken our hand and have, understanding that peace benefits all.  We are hoping for the day that all our neighbors understand this and accept our ever standing offer of peace.  We understand that this is not easy and that great emotion exists on both sides. However, a solution must come.  Israel understands this.  It is our will to come to a peace agreement with our Palestinian neighbors which will end the conflict between our nations: A Palestinian state for the Palestinian nation and a Jewish state for the Jewish nation.  If you will it, it is no dream.

Happy Birthday Israel.

By Joel Lion, Spokesperson and Consul for Media Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York

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