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Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Address to the Participants at the Conference of the Prime Minister's Committee on Tourism 2004 / Translation. |
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| 22/02/2004 |
Distinguished guests from Israel and around the world,
On the occasion of the opening of the Prime Minister's Committee on Tourism, I send my warm personal greetings from Jerusalem, the capital of the Jewish people for 3005 years and the eternally united capital of the State of Israel. Welcome to our gates!
The past three years have been characterized by the struggle of Israel and the free world against the phenomenon of terror. Unfortunately, in this just struggle global tourism and specifically tourism to Israel have been negatively affected.
Today, we received, here in Jerusalem, a painful reminder of the cruelty of Palestinian terror. I am certain you all join me in conveying condolences to the families of the victims, and in wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
Regrettably, due to this serious incident, I will not be able to stay with you for the entire evening.
Despite the difficulties and damages to tourism, your presence here in Israel, together with approximately one million additional tourists who visited us during the past year, is testimony to the fact that Israel's attraction remains. Israel's open gates have allowed free movement of tourists who have proven that the daily routine and the will of the people to realize their natural right and travel freely are stronger than any threat of terror.
From our early days, 4000 years ago, our people have yearned for peace and sought peace. Regrettably, during the last three years, Israel's image in the world media was one of a democracy which must defend itself, and is forced to defend the lives of its citizens in the face of murderous terror. However, the calling card I wish to present to you is that of another Israel, which kindles the imagination of millions around the world who grew up on the stories of the Bible.
Israel is an exciting country with a variety of landscapes and climates, a rich past of history and archeology, and is the cradle of civilization. It is a country which is experiencing renewal, growth and achievement in the fields of technology, medicine, education, agriculture, industry and immigration. In today's Israel you will find a democratic country, which is vibrant and evolving, and offers new and interesting lifestyles for the new reality of the 21st century.
In addition to the fact that we look forward with hope and optimism to a future of growth and renewal, Israel has been and shall remain the Land of the Bible. It is the only tourist destination in the world, to which the Bible functions as an authentic and original travel guide.
Our language and place names have remained as they were thousands of years ago. The land has also remained that same land which was described by the spies who were sent by Moses to explore the country for 40 days. When they returned carrying a bunch of grapes from the fruit of the land on their shoulders, they described the land and its advantages to Moses and Aaron as follows: We arrived at the Land to which you sent us, and indeed it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.
Not only locations and sights such as the Jordan, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, Shilo, Beit-El, Rachel's tomb and Jaffa still bear the names mentioned in our sources, the fruit of the country has also preserved that same sweet and unique taste of the Land of Milk and Honey.
In our sources, our prayers and our poems, the following verse appears repeatedly: Upon your walls, Jerusalem, have I posted guardians; all the day and all the night.
It is true, today we are also forced to place guardians on our walls to defend the assets of the Jewish people which have been entrusted to us. However, our task is not only to guard the walls, but mainly to ensure that the gates of Jerusalem and Israel will always remain open. They will remain open to Jews who return to their country, to all visitors of any religious belief, race and nationality, and to our friends around the world who come to experience the Land of the Bible, and a people who seeks peace and hopes for growth and prosperity.
With this calling card, I invite you to come and visit our cities, villages and kibbutzim, and travel in the magical landscapes of the State of Israel; the hand of which is extended to you in true friendship and to the world in a greeting of peace.
Again, I welcome you here, and wish you all a successful conference.
Thank you all very much.
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