This evening I attended a Rosh Hashanah party at the Israeli Ambassador’s house. There were good food and a good mix of people. It was enjoyable to see fellow evangelical Gary Bauer there with his gracious wife. Senator Roy Blount of Missouri, a Republican was there. So was Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, a Democrat. I really enjoyed meeting 91 year old Max Kampelman, who was President Reagan’s top arms control negotiator. President Obama’s Chief of Staff Jack Lew brought presidential greetings.
Ambassador Michael Oren, in his remarks, noted U.S. bipartisan friendship for Israel. And he recalled that in his boyhood he never would have imagined that the U.S. would become Israel’s chief strategic partner, or that there would be peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan, or that there would be good relations with the former Warsaw Pact countries plus China. Last year was Israel’s biggest year for tourism ever. Israel is now renowned for high tech, and its economy is robust. Oren also cited surveys showing Israelis among the healthiest and happiest in the world, though he smilingly expressed surprise over the later, since Israelis like to complain. Although he did not mention it, Israel is on the precipice of an energy revolution, with massive new discoveries of oil and gas.
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