Fmr. Israeli Amb.: Inouye Asked “What Can I Do for Israel?”

David Streeter — December 18, 2012 – 4:19 pm | Democrats | Israel Comments (0) Add a comment

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Sallai Meridor remembered the late Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) in an op-ed for Israel’s Ynet. Meridor wrote:

Senator Inouye played a leading role in all major aspects of the strategic relations between America and Israel. He initiated transforming from loans to grants the American military aid to Israel, amounting to tens of billions of dollars over the years. He led the American support for the development of multi-layered Israeli initiated missile defense system, from David’s Sling, to Iron Dome. He assured that Israel would not only be allowed to purchase most advanced American weapons systems for its defense, but also be able to develop its own cutting edge systems to assure Israel’s qualitative military advantage over its enemies.

Inouye’s support for Israel has never been conditional, nor has he ever expected anything in return….

Being himself an American of Japanese origin, serving his country while his relatives were kept by his own country in detention camps, he embarked on a life long journey of standing with and for the Jewish people. He bound his soul with the Jewish people and vowed to do all he could to help Israel. From selling Israel’s bonds as a young student to appropriating billions for Israel’s defense as the chairman of the Senate committee, he has always stood with Israel. The room of this American hero and most powerful leader was decorated with Jewish menorahs. Every year, he made the effort to attend Israel’s Independence Day celebration in DC to show his solidarity and support. His door and heart have always been open to Israel’s representatives.

When I served as Israel’s ambassador to the US, I had the privilege of meeting with him in this office. Whenever I was seeking a wise caring advice, help vis-à-vis the administration on critical issues, or achieving for Israel the almost impossible, I would ask to visit Senator Inouye. He has always been proud of Israel and concerned about its future. He profoundly understood the difficulties facing a tiny nation, the dangers emanating from the prevalent hatred towards the Jews and their state, and the existential challenges facing a Jewish democratic state in the Middle East. He unequivocally believed that a secure Israel is in the best interest of the United   States and an important part of the American story. He was more than deeply concerned about the threat of a nuclear Iran. Concern for Inouye has been a call for action. ‘What can I do for Israel’s defense?’ He would ask….

Israel has many great friends on Capitol Hill, but there has only been one Daniel Inouye. A noble human being, an American hero, a lover of Zion.

Click here to read Meridor’s moving op-ed.

JTA also reported on the sadness that has reverberated across the Jewish community following Senator Inouye’s death:

Daniel Inouye, the longtime Hawaii senator described by pro-Israel groups as one of Israel’s best friends in the Senate, has died….

‘Senator Inouye deeply understood the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship, and as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, worked tirelessly and effectively to ensure that America’s ally, Israel, had the necessary resources to defend her people,’ the American Israel Public Affairs Committee said in a statement. ‘He will be missed by all who appreciated his many decades of leadership in strengthening the ties between America and Israel.’...

Pro-Israel Republicans and Democrats mourned his passing on social media. The National Jewish Democratic Council called Inouye ‘a true mensch in every sense of the word.’

Inouye was a lead sponsor of the legislation in the mid-1990s that recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. His role as a lead appropriator helped guarantee U.S. defense assistance to Israel.

‘Our people owe him an immense historic debt,’ Michael Oren, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., said in a statement. ‘The Iron Dome system that recently intercepted hundreds of terrorist rockets aimed at our homes stands as enduring proof of his commitment to the defense of the Jewish State.’

Former Israeli Ambassador Yoram Ettinger also shared his memories of Senator Inouye in Israel Hayom. Click here to read his op-ed. 

Comments

There are no comments for this entry