Four years after his critical show of support for Israel in 1948, President Harry Truman reflected on the young nation’s progress, saying, “I believe it has a glorious future before it – not just another sovereign nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of civilization.” Only decades later, an Israel tested by persistent conflict, economic crisis, and social upheaval is closer to that “glorious future” than any of its founders might have dared to dream. Yet that is not to say that we are done with President Truman’s call to action long ago. Indeed, his dream lives on in the hundreds of thousands of Anglo Olim, who have dedicated their futures to make our shared vision a reality.
As a member of Yesh Atid, a party for those who believe courage, inclusiveness and innovation will solve the immense challenges faced by Israeli society today, I believe it crucial that we draw upon the full range of perspective that Yesh Atid refuses to take for granted. Just this week, I had the great honor of speaking at a Tel Aviv event inaugurating Yesh Atid’s new Anglo women’s division. Together with Lihi Lapid and former MK Dov Lipman, we laid the groundwork for incorporating the unique voice of English-speaking women into the Yesh Atid agenda. Their experiences with the struggle for gender equality across the globe have inspired much of the growing feminist movement in Israel and it is important that we take advantage of this invaluable resource within our midst. The future belongs to all of us, but its fruits will only be realized when Israelis unite behind the progress and cooperation that Yesh Atid stands for. Anglo women play no small role in this quest and my office looks forward to the many possibilities their contribution to our society offers. We are here. We are listening. We are ready to make change with you beside us.