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Ladies and Gentlemen,
I thank you for this special evening, in which we celebrate art, science and culture in the State of Israel, and pay tribute to a group of chosen individuals – the EMET prize recipients – for their important contribution to humanities and arts in our country.
Two years ago, this prize was awarded to Profs. Avraham Hershko and Aharon Chehanover of the Institute of Technology in Haifa, and this year we received the news of their winning the Noble Chemistry Prize. This is the highest tribute to them and to the science, research and education institutes in Israel, and a source of pride to all the citizens of Israel. This EMET Prize ceremony may not be as magnificent as the Nobel Prize one. However, as the sponsor of this prize, I consider it to be no less honorable and valuable. And who knows; maybe one of this year’s laureates will, in the future, be standing on the podium in Stockholm.
The people of Israel are known as the People of the Book, and for a reason. The Jewish people, throughout the thousands of years of their existence, did not leave behind towers, tall marble pillars, pyramids or glorious palaces. Their magnificent contribution to human culture did not find expression in material assets, but rather in values, faith, morals and philosophy – in immeasurable and invaluable spiritual treasures. The 120 years of Zionist fulfillment in the land of Israel added a new and fresh dimension to Jewish cultural creation. The new Hebrew literature and poetry; the higher science and education institutes; the artistic creation; the hi-tech companies, and the spirit of entrepreneurship and ingenuity – all place the State of Israel in may fields at the forefront of the world’s cultural, scientific and technological progress. The yearning for higher education increases among the younger generation, and new colleges are being opened to address the large demand for knowledge.
All this has been achieved during struggles, wars, threats and economic hardship, and not in a situation of calm and tranquility. In all this we must take pride.
Scientific research, culture and arts are goals, values and assets to which every Israeli government is committed. Despite the difficult budgetary constraints under which we are operating, we did not abandon – and will not abandon – this commitment, and I know that more should be done.
We must invest in these spheres today in order to reap the fruits in the coming years. My Government is acting to ensure that “the Law will continue to go forth out of Zion”, and that the new inventions and innovations which will change the face of humanity will continue to come from here.
To this end, we are now reshaping the education system: the implementation of a series of reforms, primarily the Dovrat Report Committee, with the investment of over 1.5 billion NIS in the coming year only, will enable each and every child in Israel to realize their full potential.
Placing education at the top of our priority list is intended to ensure the continuity and prosperity of cultural and artistic creation and scientific research in Israel, which are well reflected in this honorable EMET prize ceremony.
I wish to congratulate the prize laureates and to thank them for their diligence and for their remarkable contribution, which enriches culture in our lives and scientific achievements in Israel. I also thank the members of the Prize Committee, headed by Supreme Court Justice (Ret.) Gabriel Bach, and the EMET Foundation – its donors and management (and I hope that those who head this foundation will be here with us next year or in the coming years) – for financing this prize and for its comprehensive activities for the advancement of research and development and for the welfare of the people of Israel.
Thank you.
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