Honorable President and Mrs. Katzav,
Honorable Ambassador and Mrs. Kurtzer,
Embassy staff,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 I extend warm greetings on the occasion of the 228th Independence Day of our greatest friend, the United States of America.
 I wish to emphasize that the relations between out countries are the best since the establishment of the State of Israel.  The strategic cooperation between the United States and Israel has grown stronger.  The friendship between our two nations is based on the fact that Israel is a stable democracy which upholds the values of both our countries.   It is also based on the fact that both nations are engaged in a difficult campaign against terror, which has sown death and destruction here, as it did in the United States in the past, and as it does around the world.
 Both our peoples seek peace and are willing to defend it.  The United States, headed by President George W. Bush, bravely leads the campaign against international terror, which is the most important action for the protection of the entire world.
 On behalf of the Government of Israel, I congratulate President Bush and the American people.  Hopefully, we will achieve tranquility and peace.  And with G-d’s help, we will achieve it.