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I write these words hours before the beginning of Yom Hazikaron, the day we remember and pay tribute to all of those who have fallen in Israel’s wars. It will be followed by celebrations for the State of Israel’s 64th Birthday.
For my generation, which has grown up in a world where the State of Israel has always existed, it is difficult to imagine a world where this was not the case.
I happened to be on ebay yesterday in search of an Israel related document and I came across this Egyptian stamp dated May 15 1948. I paused to look at its jarring image of the forces of the Egyptian army overtaking and eliminating what was then the newly declared State of Israel. I have never seen this stamp before and I rather doubt many readers have.
A picture is worth a thousand words. This one is worth much more than a thousand.
The stamp brings history to life in a very tangible way. For a mere few dollars I bought this stamp so that I can share it with educators of the history of Israel, who can share it with their students.
Look at the image-and ask yourself what would have been left of the Jewish people had Israel’s War of Independence not been won in 1948? A question to ponder as Yom Hazikaron sets in.
And then of course as I looked at the stamp again, I thought of the election results soon enough to be witnessed in Egypt. A couple of years ago very few would have considered that the peace treaty with Egypt could one day possibly collapse.
As I look at this stamp, I do wonder whether the peace treaty Israel signed with Egypt will hold forever. Indefinately?
