Dear Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to send you warm greetings from Jerusalem as we prepare to celebrate Rosh Hashana and the holiday season.

The last few months have been difficult ones for the State of Israel, as we faced renewed violence and terror by those who would wish our total destruction.  Thanks to the courage of our soldiers and citizens alike, we have weathered this current storm and emerged stronger than ever.

However, we still face the difficult task of recovering from the extensive damage in the North, the Haifa region and the Negev.  All our efforts are directed towards rehabilitating those areas most affected and to moving ahead.  As we have in the past, we rely on the support of our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora.

Your participation in strengthening the Jewish homeland is invaluable, and your unwavering encouragement reinforces our determination to live our lives here in Israel and to uphold our Jewish, democratic values.

It is my wish that the New Year brings security, stability and peace to our nation and its eternal, undivided capital, Jerusalem.

May you all have a year of good health, prosperity and success.

Shana Tova!

Sincerely,
 
Ehud Olmert