Steve Hunegs: Israel at 60:Progress in a challenging environment

A U of M grad who had the ear of Harry Truman was a force behind U.S. support for a Jewish state in Palestine.

By STEVE HUNEGS

Last update: May 6, 2008 - 9:54 PM

The birthright of Israel extends from the Bible to the Balfour Declaration to the decision of the United Nations in November 1947 -- supported by the United States and the Soviet Union -- to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. And a Minnesotan, little known to history, played a vital role in transforming these words into a nation.

Max Lowenthal, a 1912 University of Minnesota graduate, was a longtime confidant of President Harry Truman who wrote memoranda favoring support and recognition of a Jewish state in Palestine when the British mandate ended. Truman, who recognized Israel 11 minutes after it declared its independence on May 14, 1948, wrote Lowenthal in 1952 saying, "I don't know who has done more for Israel than you have."

Israel's six decades have reaffirmed the wisdom of Truman's decision. Israel has been a steadfast ally of the United States and has contributed much to humanity while pursing peace and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The establishment of Israel filled the important need for a democratic society in the Middle East.

Today, Israel remains the region's only democracy, replete with a resoundingly free press and an independent judiciary. It is the only country in the region where Arab women have the right to vote. In 60 years, Israelis have created a modern nation-state, absorbing millions of immigrants, building prestigious educational institutions and making great advances in agriculture, medicine and technology that have helped the world. This has been accomplished in what can only be called a challenging environment.

While there are ever-evolving threats to Israeli security -- Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas, to name a few -- Israel's apparent willingness to return the entire Golan Heights to Syria underscores its commitment to a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

The strength and strategic importance of the American-Israel partnership cannot be overstated. Looking back, the remarkable relationship between the United States and Israel might not have been possible without the help of two Midwesterners: one from Independence, Mo., and the other from the north side of Minneapolis.

Steve Hunegs is executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas. A celebration of Israel's 60th anniversary is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. today at the Metrodome.

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