Israel has a right to exist - Rev Ntim Fordjour

The Member of Parliament for Assin South Constituency in the Central Region, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has urged the world to appreciate the fact that, the people of Israel have the right to exist and to live in peace, just like every other people in the world.

The MP said “if the world would incline towards Israel’s narrative, we would appreciate even the more, the challenges of the people of Israel, and the fact that they have the right to exist and to live in peace, just like every other people”.

“Israel has a tenable story worth upholding, but unfortunately, the narrative of Israel has seldom come to the fore and hardly found expression in global media reportage”, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP made the observations on the Floor of Parliament on Wednesday.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour made the appeal in a commemorative statement in solidarity with the State of Israel on the Occasion of the 70^th Anniversary of Israel which falls on July 18, 2018.

Read the full statement below:

Commemorative Statement in Solidarity with the State of Israel on the Occasion of the 70^th Anniversary of Israel

By Rev John Ntim Fordjour, Honorable Member for Assin South Constituency

 

Thank you Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity granted me to make this all-important commemorative statement in Solidarity with the State of Israel on the occasion of the 70^th Anniversary of Israel. Mr. Speaker, some 70 years ago, on 14^th May 1948 (5 Iyar 5708 according to the Hebrew Calendar), the world witnessed the formal Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel by David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel.

This declaration saw the establishment of a Jewish State in Eretz-Israel, to be known as the State of Israel which came into effect upon the termination of the British Mandate at midnight of the 14^th May 1948.

This historic event has since been celebrated annually in Israel with a National Independence Day on 5 Iyar of every year according to the Hebrew Calendar, which fell on 19^th April this year.

Mr. Speaker, not only is Israel renowned in the world for their economic prowess, high technological advancement and agricultural exploits, the State of Israel also eminently provides home for the most prestigious and sacred monumental Judaist, Christian and Islamic heritage. Undoubtedly, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the City of Truth, is touted among the topmost sacred and prestigious holy sites for the 2.3 billion Christians and 1.8 billion Muslims across the world. Every street, hill, and waters of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Galilee, and Bethlehem presents a unique proof of Biblical significance.

Mr. Speaker, according to OECD Report 2015, Israel is recognized as the country with the highest gross domestic spending as a percentage of the GDP (i.e. 4.3%) on Research and Development (R&D) as against second-placed South Korea’s 4.23%. In 2017, Israel’s technology companies raised an all-time record of $4.8 billion in venture capital.

It therefore came as no surprise when renowned journalists Dan Senor and Saul Singer were moved to write their 2009 bestseller, ‘Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle’. Aside the US and China, Israel has the most companies listed on the tech-focused NASDAQ stock exchange. Israel as a state and the Jews as a people have a unique history, essential geography and tenacious geopolitical narrative, which survived centuries of diverse challenges through the times.

Therefore, to me as a friend of Israel, the celebration of the 70^th Anniversary of the State of Israel resonates a significant milestone which is worth solidarizing with.

To my mind, there couldn’t be a more opportune time for the world to stand in solidarity with the State of Israel.

Mr. Speaker, Israel has a tenable story worth upholding. Unfortunately, the narrative of Israel has seldom come to the fore and hardly found expression in global media reportage.

Perhaps, if the world would incline towards Israel’s narrative, we would appreciate even the more, the challenges of the people of Israel, and the fact that they have the right to exist and to live in peace, just like every other people.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to reiterate my greatest regard for the UN Security Council Resolution 1397 adopted on March 12, 2002 by the UN Security Council calling for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The UN Security Council Resolution 1397 was principally anchored among other things, on a vision of a region where two states; Israel and Palestine, live side by side within secure and recognized borders, stressing the need for all concerned to ensure the safety of civilians, while maintaining respect for the universally accepted norms and International Humanitarian Law. Accordingly, I wish to single out for recognition the eminent role played by the venerable Ghanaian diplomat, Mr. Kofi Annan, the then Secretary General of the United Nations, in charting the path towards the peaceful resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Mr. Speaker, prior to the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1397, Mr. Kofi Annan had called on Palestinians to end the “morally repugnant” acts of terror and suicide bombings. In utter defiance of this noble call notwithstanding, Israel continues to suffer various forms of terrorist attacks and rocket attacks by Palestine.

An article authored by Callum Paton as published in the Newsweek on Friday October 20, 2017 alleged that the Leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, had made inflammatory statements that the Islamist group is focused on wiping out the State of Israel and has no intention of disarming. The Leader of Hamas is further quoted to have said, “Over is the time Hamas spent discussing recognizing Israel. Now Hamas will discuss when we will wipe out Israel.” Mr. Speaker, subsequent to these inflammatory statements by the Leader of Hamas, a total of 302 rockets and mortars had been fired into Israel from Gaza Strip within the space of three months, between May 29 and July 14 this year. To appreciate the trauma and the state of fear suffered by residents of Kibbutz communities in Israel, in proximity to the Gaza border, is to know that amidst the 302 rocket attacks launched on them in the space of just three months, a resident has only 15 seconds to run into shelter to seek protection, whenever a rocket is fired.                                                              

Contrary to the entrenched position and regrettable actions of Hamas against the state of Israel, I appeal to the UN, AU and Ghana in particular, to arise in solidarity with Israel, to recognize the State of Israel and uphold that indeed, the good people of Israel have a right to exist and to live in peace.

While I convey my sincerest felicitations to the good people of Israel on the occasion of their 70^th Anniversary Celebrations, May I, Mr. Speaker, assure them that we stand in solidarity with them and it is our earnest prayer that someday, Israel-Palestine conflict will see a lasting solution and sustained peaceful coexistence in the region.

Happy 70^th Anniversary to the State of Israel.

God bless Israel, God bless Ghana.

Mr. Speaker, I am indeed grateful.

Thank you.  

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