Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) introduced Dani Dayan, the Consul General of Israel, on the floor of the New York State Assembly on Tuesday to mark the day of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. Dayan, an advocate for settlements in the Judea and Samaria regions of Israel known as the West Bank, received a standing ovation from the Assembly members, which Hikind said was remarkable.

“Thank you personally for your great leadership in Israel,” Hikind told Dayan. “Just in the past few days, there are three things that the people of Israel remember and celebrate. The first one is Yom HaShoah—a day for remembering the Holocaust. It’s a remarkable moment in Israel—I’ve been there for that day, remembering the Six Million who were murdered during the Holocaust. When those sirens go off in Israel, the entire country stops. Whatever you’re doing, the people of Israel—8 million people—stand at attention, remembering what was done to our people not so long ago, including to my grandmother and many members of my family who were murdered at Auschwitz.

“Another thing, just yesterday, was Yom Hazikaron, remembering those who sacrificed so there is a State of Israel. In 1948 alone, 10 thousand soldiers died in the War of Liberation. Yom Hazikaron is not just for the soldiers who defended the State of Israel, but also those who were murdered as a result of terrorism in there. We remember the sacrifices of innocent men, women and children.

“And finally, a great moment… 69 years since the birth of the State of Israel. Think about that. That’s pretty darn young. Think of America 69 years after its independence. But besides the 69 years, I have to remind everyone of another amazing anniversary, and that is the liberation of Jerusalem 50 years ago. From 1948 to 1967, for all of that time, no Jew was permitted to go to the holiest place for the Jewish people, the Western Wall. Now Muslims, Christians, Jews and everyone else can pray freely.

“Ambassador, it is great to have you. We wish you continued luck, continued success, and it’s only the beginning for the Jewish people and the people of Israel.”

Watch the video here: http://nyassembly.gov/mem/?sh=video&ad=48&preview=memprev

(YWN Headquaretrs – NYC)