(World Policy) Amb. Ido Aharoni - From its very inception, the State of Israel has protected the rights and freedoms of all. Our founding fathers wrote in Israel's Declaration of Independence that the new country "will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex." From the annual LGBT Pride Parade in Tel Aviv, to being the only nation outside the U.S. to recognize Martin Luther King Day, Israel is the only society in the Middle East that recognizes these freedoms and rights for all people. Israel is a nation that promotes open debate, democracy, and discussion. Our people take to the streets, they take to the ballot box, and we have full freedom of the press. It contains a vibrant and diverse community, entrenched with both progressive and traditional attitudes where all enjoy the right of self-expression. The writer is the Consul General of Israel in New York.
2014-03-11 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive