Beyond national pride, the joint voyage into space represented for Israelis an almost mystical entwining of both our destinies. "It's a sign from G-d about our common fate," a secular friend said to me. Several Israeli newspaper columnists noted that Ramon, one of the Israeli pilots who destroyed Iraq's nuclear reactor in 1981, was included on an American space shuttle just as Washington prepares for war against Saddam Hussein.
Though Israel is barely the size of New Jersey, the two nations share common values and origins. Both were founded by immigrants inspired by biblical humanism. Both are societies whose diversity is a microcosm of humanity. Israel is one of the few countries where America is still regarded without cynicism as the world's great defender of freedom. And Americans appreciate Israel as a laboratory for testing the durability of democracy under duress.
Israelis love America. On Israeli Independence Day, some motorists in the Jewish State fly the Israeli and American flags.
>>>the two nations share common values and origins.<<<
Ezekiel 37:19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows (friend), and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
Two nations gathered out of the nations. Joseph and Judah, reunited:
