May 6, 2008 – New York – American Jewish Committee Executive Director David A. Harris wishes Israel a hearty happy 60th birthday in his national radio commentary, quoting from world leaders who have endorsed and praised the founding and success of the Jewish state.

Harris’s weekly messages air on the CBS radio network during the Osgood File. All AJC radio commentaries since 2001 are available at www.ajc.org. The full text of this week’s commentary follows:

Listen to the full commentary >

This week, a vibrant democracy marks its 60th anniversary.

In describing Israel’s birth, Winston Churchill said:

“The coming into being of a Jewish State in Palestine is an event in world history to be viewed in the perspective, not of a generation or a century, but in the perspective of a thousand, two thousand, or even three thousand years.”

Churchill was referring to the unique link among a land, people and faith from time immemorial.

American leaders have shared that view.

As President John Adams said nearly 200 years ago, “I really wish the Jews again in Judea an independent nation.”

President Truman took just 11 minutes to recognize the new state in 1948.

President Kennedy called Israel “the child of hope and home of the brave.”

And President Reagan said that “Israel is a land of stability and democracy in a region of tyranny and unrest.”

Happy 60th birthday, Israel.

To learn why Israel matters to you, visit ajc.org.

This is David Harris of the American Jewish Committee.