Reply #15: Right, because Jewish history = Israeli history [View All]

[UncleSepp]

Get off it.

Yes, the attack on the Liberty by Israel was inexcusable. However, that wasn't what was in Emma Lazarus's mind when she wrote the inscription for the Statue of Liberty. Israeli politics really didn't mean a whole lot when Major Blumenberg rode into battle for the Union at Antietam. When Jacob Barsimon was defending his town and also pressing for full citizenship rights for Jews in New Amsterdam in 1654, I doubt he had Israeli affairs on his mind.

To the Hebrew Congregations in the cities of Philadelphia, New York, Charleston and Richmond:

Gentlemen,—The liberality of sentiment towards each other which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country, stands unparalleled in the history of nations.

The affection of such a people is a treasure beyond the reach of calculation: and the repeated proofs which my fellow-citizens have given of their attachment to me, and approbation of my doings, form the purest source of my temporal felicity. The affectionate expressions of your address again excite my gratitude and receive my warmest acknowledgments.

The power and goodness of the Almighty were strongly manifested in the events of the late glorious revolution: and his kind interposition in our behalf, has been no less visible in the establishment of our present equal government. In war he directed the sword, and in peace he has ruled in our councils. My agency in both has been guided by the best intentions and a sense of the duty which I owe my country.

And as my exertions have hitherto been amply rewarded by the approbation of my fellow-citizens, I shall endeavour to deserve a continuance of it by my future conduct.

May the same temporal and eternal blessings which you implore for me, rest upon your congregations.

George Washington.
1790