By: Danelle Levi (12th Grade)
Last Tuesday was probably one of the most memorable days of my life. I woke up early, in Washington D.C. and prepared to witness history. My family and I made our way from the Trump Hotel to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, better known as the White House.
As we entered, all I could think about was how exciting this day was and how fortunate I was to experience it. As we approached the entrance, we joined hundreds of other people of different backgrounds, races, and religions, all ready to partake in this day. As I made my way to my seat on The South Lawn, the US marine band was playing patriotic songs. Because we arrived around an hour and a half before the event started, we got to walk around and talk to many important people, like Pastor Hagee, an evangelical pastor who is a good friend to Israel; Gilad Erdan, the representative of Israel to the United Nations and the soon-to-be Israeli Ambassador to the US; Candance Owens, a well-known Republican Activist; and many more.
After the ‘schmoozing’ period, everyone made their way to their seats and the signing began. At around 12:45, President Donald Trump came out to The South Lawn balcony alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan, and Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al Zayani. Being able to listen to them speak was so incredible and uplifting. Witnessing true peace among Jews and Arabs after 29 years was so emotional for me.
President Trump formed this peace treaty between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, and Israel and Bahrain. There had only ever been two other countries that formed peace treaties with Israel: one in 1978 with Egypt and one in 1994 with Jordan. The previous treaties both brought peace post a war. This time, peace was exchanged in order to exchange technology, information, and enable economic growth. President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu's speeches were both exceptional. Some of the words Netanyahu spoke stuck with me, one being “strength brings security, strength brings allies, and ultimately strength brings peace;” and another he said in reference to losing his brother Yoni (z’l): “those who bear the wounds of war, cherish the blessings of peace.”
When the event was officially over, a large group of Jewish men gathered together in front of the White House to daven Mincha and to listen to the sounds of the Shofar. Just watching that itself was so incredibly special. As an American Jew this day was one that I will never forget. It made me proud to be who I am and lucky to witness such a monumental moment in time.