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Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met this evening (Wednesday), 26.4.06, with the participants in, and officials of, the International Bible Contest for Jewish Youth that will be held on Israel’s 58th Independence Day
next week.
Participant representative Jacky Shulamit Zeltzer said that, “We hope that this year will be a turning point in the life of the Jewish people, a year of peace, security and prosperity.”
Interim Prime Minister Olmert welcomed the participants and said: “I admit that I am no less excited than you. I am excited because of the reasons that led you to visit Israel are related to very important matters for the State of Israel. Israel’s Independence Day is different from those of other countries because we fight for our independence all over again every year and we succeed in maintaining it from those who would take it from us.
The State of Israel is strong but there are still those who want to destroy it. The proof of our strength is in maintaining our independence in the present and the assurance of our future. We will be unable to assure our future if we do not recall our past, the base of which is in the Bible. The Bible is not just a book that reflects, and gives expression to, our faith but also describes what are our foundations, where we came from and where we need to go, while giving deep expression to the Jewish People together with its Land. Our future is the connection between the Land and our historical base, and this people which you are a part of.
I heard your greeting and I would be pleased if you would be ambassadors in your countries and I would be very pleased if you would immigrate to Israel.
We have no other Land and no other home; this is our home and it is also yours.
Even though there are only three winners, for me you are all winners because you merited to participate in the International Bible Contest for Jewish Youth in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, on the State of Israel’s Independence Day.”
Interim Prime Minister Olmert responded to participants’ questions. On the diplomatic issue, Interim Prime Minister Olmert said: “It is impossible to achieve peace merely by returning territory but without returning territory it is also impossible to achieve peace. The question is not whether the territories are part of the Land of Israel, because they are. All territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea is, in my view, an inseparable part of our Land and it cannot take them from us in the historical sense. The Land has always been ours. All of the places mentioned in the Bible are deeply tied to our people, our yearnings and our prayers. Sometimes reality is complicated and another people lives in parts of our Land. Therefore, we must decide whether to lose Israel’s identity as a Jewish state or to give up part of the territory so that Israel will remain a Jewish state. The decisive majority of the people prefer to maintain the Jewish identity of the State of Israel and in order to preserve its Jewish character we must compromise over territories. Along with my fellow ministers, I will do everything to ensure peace and hope for the people of Israel and to concede what must be conceded and to keep the places that are important for Israel’s future, with greater Jerusalem our capital first and foremost.”
When asked why he wanted to be elected Prime Minister, Interim Prime Minister Olmert replied: “I have been in politics for 33 years. As Prime Minister I can influence the issues that I believe in as broadly as possible and in this position are concentrated the most important and substantive things so that Israel’s citizens will be able to live in security with greater chances for peace. I hope that the Almighty will bless me the wisdom to do all of these things.”
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