Israel-LA ties strong

US-Israel ties strong

By P Rana
Van Nuys, San Fernando Valley, May 3, 2009

LASD Chief Lee Baca Sunday stressed on cordial US-Israeli ties. On the 61st anniversary of the founding of the Jewish state, the LASD chief also spoke of lasting bond between the 490,000 strong Jewish community in LA and Israel.

The Woodley Park event in San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County was attended by Wendy Greuel (D), LA City Councilwoman, Gil Artzyeli, assistant consul general of Israel and Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai. Stalls selling food, T-shirts, water filters as well as insurance, education and Judaica were present. Tel Aviv's famous Dizenghoff street was featured in the pavilion. The Ben Gurion pavilion displayed a stall featuring Israel's famous El Al airline. Councilman Jack Weiss (D) stall featured free combs to supporters. NCJW, thrift store chain, displayed its famous Judaica art. British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli's biography was also displayed. The GOP also had a stall.

The most striking feature was the parajump. Five skydivers carried flags of Israel and the United States. A chute painted with French tricolor was also among the others. DJ music, rock climbing and children's games were also part of the program. Israel's famous export, orange juice was also featured while a film festival display included art films to shore up Israeli culture.

Sixty-one years ago Israeli Jewish residents and migrants who escaped World War II, many of them victims of genocide, declared a Jewish state of Israel in Palestine, a backwater in the Ottoman Empire although culturally significant to Europe. Arab residents opposed its creation and the newly independent Arab states of Syria, Egypt and Jordan declared war. Israeli volunteers defeated the Arab invading armies and the new state was born. Israel today is the leading democracy among mostly authoritarian and sometimes hostile neighboring states. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are cultural and learning centers in the Middle East.

*Data credit goes to Wikipedia.org while the writer was present there at the program.