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Welcome to Israel. Welcome home.
Yesterday, millions of Jews from around the world marked the Ninth Day of Av, the day the temple was destroyed and which also marks the exile of the Jews. There is nothing more symbolic than welcoming new olim on the day following the Ninth Day of Av – olim who chose to return and live in the land of the Jewish people – in Israel.
Aliyah corrects the historic injustice which befell us almost 2000 years ago and led to the dispersal of the Jewish people to all corners of the world. This is the primary reason for the establishment of the State of Israel – a national home in which Jews from around the world will gather and contribute their share to civilization, as they did in ancient times.
By coming to Israel today, you have strengthened this cause immensely.
In recent years, we have witnessed a new wave of hatred of Israel around the world. This wave of anti-Semitism does not threaten only Jews– it is a threat to the way of life of the entire Western world. We therefore very much appreciate the determined actions of the French Government, as well as the French President’s stance against anti-Semitism.
We hope that this determination will serve as an example to other countries as well.
One must make a distinction between the battle against anti-Semitism and the encouragement of Aliyah – Jews must come to Israel not because of hatred or fear – Jews must make Aliyah because it is their homeland. Israel is the only place in the world where Jews can lead Jewish lives, in the true sense of the word, and only here can Jews be certain that their children and grandchildren will remain Jewish forever.
Tonight, when you leave the airport, you will take your first steps towards your new lives in the Jewish homeland. I know that the decision to leave your homes, family and friends, was not an easy one. I always say that I am grateful to my parents for making that decision before I was born, and thereby saved me the need to make Aliyah. I promise you that we intend to do our utmost to assist your absorption in your new-old home.
I am confident that next time we meet, we will be able to talk to each other in Hebrew, without the help of an interpreter. I am also certain that by then you will see to it that the family and friends you left behind have also made Aliyah.
I know that many will follow in your footsteps.
I wish you much success in your absorption in Israel, and would also like to thank everyone who assisted and will continue to assist you in this process.
Welcome. You have come home. For you, the journey which started on the Ninth Day of Av almost 2000 years ago (1934 years ago, in fact) has come to an end.
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