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I am pleased to be here today, participating in the graduation ceremony of the Western Galilee College.
If there is a piece of land which demonstrates the multi-faceted nature and rich human and cultural aspects of Israeli society – it is the Galilee, specifically the Western Galilee. Here, veteran Jews and new Olim, Arabs – Muslims and Christians, Druze, Circassians and Baha’is live here together, side-by-side, in coexistence and in full cooperation in every aspect of life, in a fascinating mosaic of cities and villages, development towns, kibbutzim and moshavim.
Over the past two years, we have successfully dealt with two difficult challenges. We faced the Palestinian terror campaign – and the Palestinians today understand that by using violence, they will accomplish nothing. At the same time – we extricated the economy from the deep crisis in which it has been immersed over the last four years – and it is now on a renewed path of growth. Last year, the pace of growth was higher than in most industrialized countries. This, while lowering the rate of unemployment. No doubt that the program to exit Gaza which will be implemented soon, greatly influenced the economic situation.
Now, the goal must be to reduce the social gaps and achieve a more equal and just division of the fruits of that growth.
The best way to close the gaps in society is through education. The problem of the gaps will be solved when every young man and woman, everywhere in Israel – regardless of ethnicity or income level – can face life with an academic degree. Those with degrees from Yeroham and Acre, from Netivot and from Shlomi, from Daliat Al-Carmel and from Beit Shean will close the gaps by themselves. And they will do so since there are no gaps in the quality of our children. The gap is in the tools at their disposal, and the environmental conditions in which they operate – which is what we must improve so that they are as equal as possible.
The Galilee, the Negev and Jerusalem are at the top of my Government’s list of priorities. In the Galilee, this is expressed through our investments in encouraging settlement in the area, in vigorous development of all kinds of infrastructure – but also by encouraging education, and higher education. The best proof of this is, of course, the plan which the Government approved to establish the multi-campus University of the Galilee. This university will promote new heights of academic education in the Galilee.
In the 21st century, higher education has become basic education. In this sense, the Academic College of the Western Galilee makes higher education more accessible to all who wish to study in the region.
I was very pleased to hear from you that no student here is unable, due to economic reasons, to conclude his studies. And also the efforts which, I understand, you are investing in the existing ties to assist job success in the area. It has great importance not only culturally, but also from the national aspect of increasing settlement in the area. The College is located in Acre – a city to which I attribute great importance in developing and making prosperous. Situated here in Acre, the college contributes not only to providing education in the surrounding area, it also significantly improves employment opportunities for the residents of the Western Galilee – Jews, Arabs and Druze – thereby reducing unemployment.
The Academic College of the Western Galilee proves through its activities that sound investment and wisely utilizing the abundant local talent, can move Acre and the Galilee forward.
I congratulate the College graduates on receiving your degrees. I hope that you will move on to industriousness in Israeli society, enrich it – and us – with your knowledge and the values you acquired during your years of study. Until now, you have invested in your studies – from now, it is time to invest in work, in creation, and in contributing not only for the benefit of your families, but for the benefit of the Galilee and your places of residence.
Good luck to you all. I am certain that you will succeed.
I have no doubt that it is possible to observe all the distress we face right now… I think that it is possible to look forward with optimism, and the best thing to do is what I always do. That is to look back and see how much we have already accomplished. We may certainly look forward with optimism.
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